“These are tumultuous days,” said Benoni. “I had not believed that my eyes would behold such things in the Holy City, but anon they wax worse and worse. But it is expedient that thou continue as thou hast begun.”
“Behold, O son of Benoni! thou art chosen from among our people to lead in this great service,” said Almon.
“It behooveth me to bring this conspiracy to naught, and I shall lose no time in its discomfiture.”
Rebecca drew her brother aside, and putting her arm about him, softly said,—
“O my Saulus! I am persuaded that the young son of Israel who saved me from the throng on the day of Pente[pg 174]cost would condemn this day’s proceeding! Remember he called himself ‘the friend of Saulus.’ ”
“Did he belong to the sect of the Nazarene, or speak well of it?”
“Behold I wot not how that may be, but he was so kind and noble that I feel he would have none of persecution! O Saulus! must you continue this business?”
“Thou deceivest thyself,” said Saulus, with an impatient gesture. “The man is no friend of mine, and if he be a follower of the Nazarene he will suffer with the rest.”
“O Saulus! I pray that he may be spared. Behold the favor which he showed me!”
“I say unto thee I know him not; and if he be a heretic, woe be to him!”