“Tell me something of the Roman from whom you saved us to-day,” she asked.
The request struck Ben-Hur unpleasantly.
“I wish this were the Nile,” he said, evasively. “The kings and queens, having slept so long, might come down from their tombs, and ride with us.”
“They were of the colossi, and would sink our boat. The pygmies would be preferable. But tell me of the Roman. He is very wicked, is he not?”
“I cannot say.”
“Is he of noble family, and rich?”
“I cannot speak of his riches.”
“How beautiful his horses were! and the bed of his chariot was gold, and the wheels ivory. And his audacity! The bystanders laughed as he rode away; they, who were so nearly under his wheels!”
She laughed at the recollection.
“They were rabble,” said Ben-Hur, bitterly.