And her peace of mind would certainly not have been improved, could she have seen old Miriam hurry home with her letter to a dingy house in the Jews quarter, where it was un-sealed, read, and sealed up again with such marvellous skill, that no eye could have detected the change; and finally, still less would she have been comforted could she have heard the conversation which was going on in a summer-room of Orestes palace, between that illustrious statesman and Raphael Aben-Ezra, who were lying on two divans opposite each other, whiling away, by a throw or two of dice, the anxious moments which delayed her answer.
Trays again! The devil is in you, Raphael!
I always thought he was, answered Raphael, sweeping up the gold pieces....
When will that old witch be back?
When she has read through your letter and Hypatias answer.
Read them?
Of course. You dont fancy she is going to be fool enough to carry a message without knowing what it is? Dont be angry; she wont tell. She would give one of those two grave-lights there, which she calls her eyes, to see the thing prosper.
Why?
Your excellency will know when the letter comes. Here she is; I hear steps in the cloister. Now, one bet before they enter. I give you two to one she asks you to turn pagan.
What in? Negro-boys?
Anything you like.
Taken. Come in, slaves?
And Hypocorisma entered, pouting.
That Jewish fury is outside with a letter, and has the impudence to say she wont let me bring it in!
Bring her in then. Quick!
I wonder what I am here for, if people have secrets that I am not to know, grumbled the spoilt youth.
Do you want a blue ribbon round those white sides of yours, you monkey? answered Orestes. Because, if you do, the hippopotamus hide hangs ready outside.
Let us make him kneel down here for a couple of hours, and use him as a dice-board, said Raphael, as you used to do to the girls in Armenia.
Ah, you recollect that?and how the barbarian papas used to grumble, till I had to crucify one or two, eh? That was something like life! I love those out-of-the-way stations, where nobody asks questions: but here one might as well live among the monks in Nitria. Here comes Canidia! Ah, the answer? Hand it here, my queen of go-betweens!
Orestes read itand his countenance fell.
I have won?
Out of the room, slaves! and no listening!
I have won then?
Orestes tossed the letter across to him, and Raphael read
The immortal gods accept no divided worship; and he who would command the counsels of their prophetess must remember that they will vouchsafe to her no illumination till their lost honours be restored. If he who aspires to be the lord of Africa dare trample on the hateful cross, and restore the Caesareum to those for whose worship it was builtif he dare proclaim aloud with his lips, and in his deeds, that contempt for novel and barbarous superstitions, which his taste and reason have already taught him, then he would prove himself one with whom it were a glory to labour, to dare, to die in a great cause. But till then
And so the letter ended.
What am I to do?
Take her at her word.
Good heavens! I shall be excommunicated! Andandwhat is to become of my soul?
What will become of it in any case, my most excellent lord? answered Raphael blandly.
You meanI know what you cursed Jews think will happen to every one but yourselves. But what would the world say? I an apostate! And in the face of Cyril and the populace! I darent, I tell you!
No one asked your excellency to apostatise.
Why, what? What did you say just now?
I asked you to promise. It will not be the first time that promises before marriage have not exactly coincided with performance afterwards.
I darentthat is, I wont promise. I believe, now, this is some trap of your Jewish intrigue, just to make me commit myself against those Christians, whom you hate.
I assure you, I despise all mankind far too profoundly to hate them. How disinterested my advice was when I proposed this match to you, you never will know; indeed, it would be boastful in me to tell you. But really you must make a little sacrifice to win this foolish girl. With all the depth and daring of her intellect to help you, you might be a match for Romans, Byzantines, and Goths at once. And as for beautywhy, there is one dimple inside that wrist, just at the setting on of the sweet little hand, worth all the other flesh and blood in Alexandria.
By Jove! you admire her so much, I suspect you must be in love with her yourself. Why dont you marry her? Ill make you my prime minister, and then we shall have the use of her wits without the trouble of her fancies. By the twelve Gods! If you marry her and help me, Ill make you what you like!
Raphael rose and bowed to the earth.
Your serene high-mightiness overwhelms me. But I assure you, that never having as yet cared for any ones interest but my own, I could not be expected, at my time of life, to devote myself to that of another, even though it were to yours.
Candid!
Exactly so; and moreover, whosoever I may marry, will be practically, as well as theoretically, my private and peculiar property.... You comprehend.
Candid again.
Exactly so; and waiving the third argument, that she probably might not choose to marry me, I beg to remark that it would not be proper to allow the world to say, that I, the subject, had a wiser and fairer wife than you, the ruler; especially a wife who bad already refused that rulers complimentary offer.
By Jove! and she has refused me in good earnest! Ill make her repent it! I was a fool to ask her at all! Whats the use of having guards, if one cant compel what one wants? If fair means cant do it, foul shall! Ill send for her this moment!
Most illustrious majestyit will not succeed. You do not know that womans determination. Scourges and red-hot pincers will not shake her, alive; and dead, she will be of no use whatsoever to you, while she will be of great use to Cyril.
How?
He will be most happy to make the whole story a handle against you, give out that she died a virgin-martyr, in defence of the most holy catholic and apostolic faith, get miracles worked at her tomb, and pull your palace about your ears on the strength thereof.
Cyril will hear of it anyhow: thats another dilemma into which you have brought me, you intriguing rascal! Why, this girl will be boasting all over Alexandria that I have offered her marriage, and that she has done herself the honour to refuse me!
She will be much too wise to do anything of the kind; she has sense enough to know that if she did so, you would inform a Christian populace what conditions she offered you, and, with all her contempt for the burden of the flesh, she has no mind to be lightened of that pretty load by being torn in pieces by Christian monks; a very probable ending for her in any case, as she herself, in her melancholy moods, confesses!
What will you have me do then?
Simply nothing. Let the prophetic spirit go out of her, as it will, in a day or two, and thenI know nothing of human nature, if she does not bate a little of her own price. Depend on it, for all her ineffabilities, and impassibilities, and all the rest of the seventh-heaven moonshine at which we play here in Alexandria, a throne is far too pretty a bait for even Hypatia the pythoness to refuse. Leave well alone is a good rule, but leave ill alone is a better. So now another bet before we part, and this time three to one. Do nothing either way, and she sends to you of her own accord before a month is out. In Caucasian mules? Done? Be it so.
She will be much too wise to do anything of the kind; she has sense enough to know that if she did so, you would inform a Christian populace what conditions she offered you, and, with all her contempt for the burden of the flesh, she has no mind to be lightened of that pretty load by being torn in pieces by Christian monks; a very probable ending for her in any case, as she herself, in her melancholy moods, confesses!
What will you have me do then?
Simply nothing. Let the prophetic spirit go out of her, as it will, in a day or two, and thenI know nothing of human nature, if she does not bate a little of her own price. Depend on it, for all her ineffabilities, and impassibilities, and all the rest of the seventh-heaven moonshine at which we play here in Alexandria, a throne is far too pretty a bait for even Hypatia the pythoness to refuse. Leave well alone is a good rule, but leave ill alone is a better. So now another bet before we part, and this time three to one. Do nothing either way, and she sends to you of her own accord before a month is out. In Caucasian mules? Done? Be it so.
Well, you are the most charming counsellor for a poor perplexed devil of a prefect! If I had but a private fortune like you, I could just take the money, and let the work do itself.
Which is the true method of successful government. Your slave bids you farewell. Do not forget our bet. You dine with me to-morrow?
And Raphael bowed himself out.
As he left the prefects door, he saw Miriam on the opposite side of the street, evidently watching for him. As soon as she saw him, she held on her own side, without appearing to notice him, till he turned a corner, and then crossing, caught him eagerly by the arm.
Does the fool dare!
Who dare what?
You know what I mean. Do you suppose old Miriam carries letters without taking care to know what is inside them? Will he apostatise? Tell me. I am secret as the grave!
The fool has found an old worm-eaten rag of conscience somewhere in the corner of his heart, and dare not.
Curse the coward! And such a plot as I had laid! I would have swept every Christian dog out of Africa within the year. What is the man afraid of?
Hell-fire.
Why, he will go there in any case, the accursed Gentile!
So I hinted to him, as delicately as I could; but, like the rest of the world, he had a sort of partiality for getting thither by his own road.
Coward! And whom shall I get now? Oh, if that Pelagia had as much cunning in her whole body as Hypatia has in her little finger, Id seat her and her Goth upon the throne of the Caesars. But
But she has five senses, and just enough wit to use them, eh?
Dont laugh at her for that, the darling! I do delight in her, after all. It warms even my old blood to see how thoroughly she knows her business, and how she enjoys it, like a true daughter of Eve.
She has been your most successful pupil, certainly, mother. You may well be proud of her.
The old hag chuckled to herself a while; and then suddenly turning to RaphaelSee here! I have a present for you; and she pulled out a magnificent ring.
Why, mother, you are always giving me presents. It was but a month ago you sent me this poisoned dagger.
Why not, eh?why not? Why should not Jew give to Jew? Take the old womans ring!
What a glorious opal!
Ah, that is an opal, indeed! And the unspeakable name upon it; just like Solomons own. Take it, I say! Whosoever wears that never need fear fire, steel, poison, or womans eye.
Your own included, eh?
Take it, I say! and Miriam caught his hand, and forced the ring on his finger. There! Now youre safe. And now call me mother again. I like it. I dont know why, but I like it. AndRaphael Aben-Ezradont laugh at me, and call me witch and hag, as you often do. I dont care about it from any one else; Im accustomed to it. But when you do it, I always long to stab you. Thats why I gave you the dagger. I used to wear it; and I was afraid I might be tempted to use it some day, when the thought came across me how handsome youd look, and how quiet, when you were dead, and your soul up there so happy in Abrahams bosom, watching all the Gentiles frying and roasting for ever down below. Dont laugh at me, I say; and dont thwart me! I may make you the emperors prime minister some day. I can if I choose.
Heaven forbid! said Raphael, laughing.
Dont laugh. I cast your nativity last night, and I know you have no cause to laugh. A great danger hangs over you, and a deep temptation. And if you weather this storm, you may be chamberlain, prime minister, emperor, if you will. And you shall beby the four archangels, you shall!
And the old woman vanished down a by-lane, leaving Raphael utterly bewildered.
Moses and the prophets! Does the old lady intend to marry me? What can there be in this very lazy and selfish personage who bears my name, to excite so romantic an affection? Well, Raphael Aben-Ezra, thou hast one more friend in the world beside Bran the mastiff; and therefore one more troubleseeing that friends always expect a due return of affection and good offices and what not. I wonder whether the old lady has been getting into a scrape kidnapping, and wants my patronage to help her out of it.... Three-quarters of a mile of roasting sun between me and home!.... I must hire a gig, or a litter, or some-thing, off the next stand .... with a driver who has been eating onions.... and of course there is not a stand for the next half-mile. Oh, divine aether! as Prometheus has it, and ye swift-winged breezes (I wish there were any here), when will it all be over? Three-and-thirty years have I endured already of this Babel of knaves and fools; and with this abominable good health of mine, which wont even help me with gout or indigestion, I am likely to have three-and-thirty years more of it....I know nothing, and I care for nothing, and I expect nothing; and I actually cant take the trouble to prick a hole in myself, and let the very small amount of wits out, to see something really worth seeing, and try its strength at something really worth doingif, after all, the other side the grave does not turn out to be just as stupid as this one.... When will it be all over, and I in Abrahams bosomor any one elses, provided it be not a womans?
CHAPTER V: A DAY IN ALEXANDRIA
In the meanwhile, Philammon, with his hosts, the Goths, had been slipping down the stream. Passing, one after another, world-old cities now dwindled to decaying towns, and numberless canal-mouths, now fast falling into ruin with the fields to which they ensured fertility, under the pressure of Roman extortion and misrule, they had entered one evening the mouth of the great canal of Alexandria, slid easily all night across the star-bespangled shadows of Lake Mareotis, and found themselves, when the next morning dawned, among the countless masts and noisy quays of the greatest seaport in the world. The motley crowd of foreigners, the hubbub of all dialects from the Crimea to Cadiz, the vast piles of merchandise, and heaps of wheat, lying unsheltered in that rainless air, the huge bulk of the corn-ships lading for Rome, whose tall sides rose story over story, like floating palaces, above the buildings of some inner dockthese sights, and a hundred more, made the young monk think that the world did not look at first sight a thing to be despised. In front of heaps of fruit, fresh from the market-boats, black groups of glossy negro slaves were basking and laughing on the quay, looking anxiously and coquettishly round in hopes of a purchaser; they evidently did not think the change from desert toil to city luxuries a change for the worse. Philammon turned away his eyes from beholding vanity; but only to meet fresh vanity wheresoever they fell. He felt crushed by the multitude of new objects, stunned by the din around; and scarcely recollected himself enough to seize the first opportunity of escaping from his dangerous companions.