Now, as she sat and prayed, Gallus being abroad to gather more tidings if he could, she heard the courtyard door open, but took no notice of it, thinking that it was but the servant who returned from market. Presently, however, as she knelt, a shadow fell upon her and Julia looked up to see Miriam, none other than Miriam, and with her a dark-skinned, aged woman, whom she did not know.
“How come you here?” she gasped.
“Oh! mother,” answered the girl in a low and thrilling voice, “mother, by the mercy of God and by the help of this Nehushta, of whom I have often told you, and—of another, I am escaped from Domitian, and return to you free and unharmed.”
“Tell me that story,” said Julia, “for I do not understand. The thing sounds incredible.”
So Miriam told her tale. When it was done, Julia said:
“Heathen though he is, this Marcus must be a noble-hearted man, whom may Heaven reward.”
“Yes,” answered Miriam with a sigh, “may Heaven reward him, as I wish I might.”
“As you would have done had I not stayed you,” put in Nehushta. Her voice was severe, but as she spoke something that Julia took to be a smile was seen for an instant on her grim features.
“Well, friend, well,” said Julia, “we have all of us fallen into temptation from time to time.”
“Pardon me, lady,” answered Nehushta, “but speak for yourself. I never fell into any temptation—from a man. I know too much of men.”