“I was about to say,” he continued, “I have no choice, but take the part you assign me; and as remaining here is to meet an ignoble death, I will to the work at once.”
“Shall we have writings?” asked Simonides, moved by his habit of business.
“I rest upon your word,” said Ben-Hur.
“And I,” Ilderim answered.
Thus simply was effected the treaty which was to alter Ben-Hur’s life. And almost immediately the latter added,
“It is done, then.”
“May the God of Abraham help us!” Simonides exclaimed.
“One word now, my friends,” Ben-Hur said, more cheerfully. “By your leave, I will be my own until after the games. It is not probable Messala will set peril on foot for me until he has given the procurator time to answer him; and that cannot be in less than seven days from the despatch of his letter. The meeting him in the Circus is a pleasure I would buy at whatever risk.”
Ilderim, well pleased, assented readily, and Simonides, intent on business, added, “It is well; for look you, my master, the delay will give me time to do you a good part. I understood you to speak of an inheritance derived from Arrius. Is it in property?”
“A villa near Misenum, and houses in Rome.”