"But there be one in Israel who can help thee," said the little maid.
"What meaneth thou, child?" asked Claudia. "Dost thou know what doth render me so sorrowful?"
"Yes, dear mistress," replied the little maid, "'tis because Naaman, thy husband, whom thou dost dearly love, art a leper."
"Ay, most true," murmured Claudia, with a deep sigh. "Therefore, maiden, why sayeth thou that there be one in the land of Israel who can help me? Surely thou dost know that no one can heal the leper."
"Listen, dear mistress," said Leah. "The prophet, Elisha, who is in Samaria, can heal my lord, thy husband, for he hath done most wonderful things even to the raising of the dead to life."
Claudia listened with breathless eagerness and attention.
"Thou art but a maiden and a slave," she said, "but I shall give heed to thy words and repeat them to Naaman, my husband. Go tell thy master that I would speak with him."
When Naaman entered his wife's presence she turned to meet him with a look in her beautiful eyes that he had not seen there in many months.
"Thy little hand-maiden didst tell me that thou desireth my presence," he said.