Part 18 (1/2)
”Because the lady Miriam is your granddaughter and the heiress of your wealth. I say it, since if I did not Caleb would; probably he has done so already.”
For a moment Benoni hid his face in his hands. Then he lifted it and said:
”I thought as much, and now I am sure. But, my lord Marcus, if my blood is hers my wealth is my own.”
”Just so. Keep it if you will, or leave it where you will. It is Miriam I seek, and not your money.”
”I think that Caleb seeks both Miriam and my money--like a prudent man. Why should he not have them? He is a Jew of good blood; he will, I think, rise high.”
”And I am a Roman of better blood who will rise higher.”
”Yes, a Roman, and I, the grandfather, am a Jew who do not love you Romans.”
”And Miriam is neither Jew nor Roman, but a Christian, brought up not by you, but by the Essenes; and she loves me, although she will not marry me because I am not a Christian.”
Benoni shrugged his shoulders as he answered:
”All of this is a problem which I must ponder on and solve.”
Marcus sprang from his seat and stood before the old man with menace in his air.
”Look you, Benoni,” he said, ”this is a problem not to be solved by you or by Caleb, but by Miriam herself, and none other. Do you understand?”
”I understand that you threaten me.”
”Ay, I do. Miriam is of full age; her sojourn with the Essenes must come to an end. Doubtless you will take her to dwell with you. Well, beware how you deal by her. If she wishes to marry Caleb of her own free will, let her do so. But if you force her to it, or suffer him to force her, then by your G.o.d, and by my G.o.ds, and by her G.o.d, I tell you that I will come back and take such a vengeance upon him and upon you, and upon all your people, that it shall be a story for generations. Do you believe me?”
Benoni looked up at the man who stood before him in his youth and beauty, his eyes on fire and his form quivering with rage, and looking, shrank back a little. He did not know that this light-hearted Roman had such strength and purpose at command. Now he understood for the first time that he was a true son of the terrible race of conquerors, who, if he were crossed, could be as merciless as the worst of them, one whose very honesty and openness made him to be feared the more.
”I understand that you believe what you say. Whether when you are back at Rome, where there are women as fair as the Queen of the Essenes, you will continue to believe it, is another matter.”
”Yes, a matter for me to settle.”
”Quite so--for you to settle. Have you anything to add to the commands you are pleased to lay upon your humble creditor, Benoni the merchant?”
”Yes, two things. First, that when I leave this house you will no longer be my creditor. I have brought money to pay you off in full, princ.i.p.al and interest. My talk of borrowing was but a play and excuse to learn what you knew of Miriam. Nay, do not start, though it may seem strange to you that I also can be subtle. Foolish man, did you think that I with my prospects should be left to lack for a miserable half-talent? Why, there at Jerusalem I could have borrowed ten, or twenty, if I would promise my patronage by way of interest. My servants wait with the gold without. Call them in presently and pay yourself, princ.i.p.al and interest, and something for a bonus. Now for the second, Miriam is a Christian. Beware how you tamper with her faith. It is not mine, but I say--beware how you tamper with it. You gave her father and her mother, your own daughter, to be slaughtered by gladiators and to be torn by lions because, forsooth, they did not think as you do. Lift one finger against her and I will hale you into the amphitheatre at Rome, there yourself to be slaughtered by gladiators, or to be torn by lions.
Although I am absent I shall know all that you do, for I have friends who are good and spies that are better. Moreover, I return here shortly.
Now I ask you, will you give me your solemn word, swearing it by that G.o.d whom you wors.h.i.+p, first, that you will not attempt to force your granddaughter Miriam into marriage with Caleb the Jew; and secondly, that you will shelter her, treating her with all honour, and suffering her to follow her own faith in freedom?”
Benoni sprang from his couch.
”No, Roman, I will not. Who are you who dare to dictate to me in my own house as to how I shall deal with my own grandchild? Pay what you owe and get you gone, and darken my doors no more. I have done with you.”
”Ah!” said Marcus. ”Well, perhaps it is time that you should travel. Those who travel and see strange countries and peoples, grow liberal-minded, which you are not. Be pleased to read this paper,” and he laid a writing before him.
Benoni took it and read. It was worded thus:
”To Marcus, the son of Emilius, the captain, in the name of Caesar, greetings. Hereby we command you, should you in your discretion think fit, to seize the person of Benoni, the Jewish merchant, a dweller in Tyre, and to convey him as a prisoner to Rome, there to answer charges which have been laid against him, with the particulars of which you are acquainted, which said particulars you will find awaiting you in Rome, of having conspired with certain other Jews, to overthrow the authority of Caesar in this his province of Judaea.