“Indeed! Well, this is strange, for so, as he told me, is Caleb.”
“He told you that?” said Marcus springing from his chair. “Then he lies, and would that I had time to prove it on his body! She rejected him; I have it from Nehushta; also I know it in other ways.”
“Then she did accept you, my lord Marcus?”
“Not quite,” he replied sadly; “but that was only because I am not a Christian. She loves me all the same,” he added, recovering. “Upon that point there can be no doubt.”
“Caleb seemed to doubt it,” suggested Benoni.
“Caleb is a liar,” repeated Marcus with emphasis, “and one of whom you will do well to beware.”
“Why should I beware of him?”
Marcus paused a moment, then answered boldly:
“Because the lady Miriam is your granddaughter and the heiress of your wealth. I say it, since if I did not Caleb would; probably he has done so already.”
For a moment Benoni hid his face in his hands. Then he lifted it and said: