"My lord, I return healed of my leprosy," replied Naaman.
"Thou cometh indeed with wonderful tidings," exclaimed the king. "Marvelous is the power of this magician of the court of Jehoram. What sayeth thy wife, the beautiful Claudia? great rejoicing must indeed be hers."
"She as yet knows not that I have returned from Samaria," answered Naaman. "I did first seek the presence of my king to make known to him the wonders that have been done unto me."
"Ah," murmured Benhadad, "thou art ever faithful to thy country and thy king."
The proud eyes of the Syrian wavered and fell under the king's kind gaze.
"Ah," he was thinking, "the king knows not that I have forsaken the god of my country for Jehovah Who ruleth over all the earth."
"I will detain thee no longer at present," said Benhadad. "Make haste to the presence of thy wife with thy tidings of joy. Meanwhile the news shall go abroad over all the land that Naaman has returned from Samaria healed of his leprosy that all Syria may rejoice and offer sacrifice to Rimmon. Say to thy wife that Benhadad rejoices with her that Naaman has returned healed."
Naaman bent his head to kiss the hand of the king and then left the palace. As the chariot passed through the streets of Damascus shouts of rejoicing were heard upon every side; Benhadad had already sent forth the tidings of the healing of Naaman.
Claudia, awaiting the coming of her husband, heard the shouts and cries and turned very pale.
"What means those cries?" she asked of the little maid.