"Thou art a leper?" he said, while a look of loathing passed over his face.
A dark red flush of shame and humiliation rose to Naaman's proud brow. "Yes, my lord, I am a leper," he replied.
The king fell into deep thought, his brows drawn together in a frown.
Naaman, standing at the foot of the throne in torturing suspense, noted that the king was greatly disturbed. His thin lips were unsteady, the long, slim fingers, which held the golden sceptre, trembled.
At length, the king roused himself, and, turning his eyes again upon Naaman, he asked:
"Knoweth thou the contents of this letter?"
"Yes, my lord," replied Naaman.
"I must have time to consider this request of Benhadad," continued the king. Naaman's face paled. He had not anticipated any hesitation on the part of Jehoram to grant the wish of Benhadad, knowing how unwise it would be for political reasons for Jehoram thus to act. If the king of Israel noted Naaman's disturbance he gave no sign of it.
"Seek me to-morrow at this time," he said, "and thou shalt have my answer to the letter of thy king."