Chapter VIII.
The days passed very slowly and wearily to Claudia, wife of Naaman, as she awaited in her palace home the return of her husband. Sometimes her heart was filled with hope, then, again, she would be plunged into the deepest despondency, when it seemed madness to believe that any man had power to heal the leper.
Leah, the little maid, watched her mistress wistfully, tenderly. One morning, as she sat at Claudia's feet, she looked up into her pale, beautiful face and said:
"Why art thou so sad, my dear mistress?"
"Ah, maiden," replied Claudia, "thou canst not understand the tortures of suspense which consume me."
"Suspense!" repeated the little maid. "Then thou dost doubt the power of Elisha to heal my lord of his leprosy?"
"Yes," answered Claudia. "For how can man be possessed of such power?"