"I do not like these legends; they are pure invention," said another.
"All these old persecutions appear improbable today," added a third.
"They can, nevertheless, be renewed with the most frightful details against us or against other nations," replied Jacob. "Conquerors are always savage in their vengeance, whether they are called Nero, Domitian, Trajan, Adrian, or"--
He was interrupted by some one who asked:--
"What, in the nineteenth century?"
"Yes; in our own times. Utinam simfalsus vates! Can I be a false prophet?"
"But, monsieur," said Muse, "you owe us something more gay, more agreeable."
"Hebrew literature furnishes certainly agreeable and amusing stories, but the choice is difficult."
Jacob turned some pages of the Talmud.
"The Rabbi Gamaliel, who was put to death by Rufus in the same manner as Akiba, related one day to a pagan prince the creation of woman in Genesis.