Benoni stroked his white beard before he answered.
“You talk proudly,” he said. “Did I shut my eyes I might fancy that this voice was the voice of a Roman procurator speaking the decrees of Cæsar. Still, I am ready to believe that what you promise you can perform, since I for one am sure that you Essenes are not mere harmless heretics who worship angels and demons, see visions, prophesy things to come by the help of your familiars, and adore the sun in huts upon the desert.” He paused, but the President, without taking the slightest notice of his insults or sarcasms, repeated merely:
“We have spoken,” and as with one voice, like some great echo, the whole hundred of them cried, “We have spoken!”
“Do you hear them, master?” said Nehushta in the silence that followed. “Well, I know them. They mean what they say, and you are right—what which they threaten they can perform.”
“Let my grandchild speak,” said Benoni. “Daughter, is it your wish that such dishonouring bonds should be laid upon me?”
“Grandsire,” replied Miriam, in a pure, clear voice, “I may not quarrel with that which is done for my own good. For the wealth I care little, but I would not become a slave in everything save the name, nor do I desire to set my feet in that path my parents trod. What my uncles say—all of these”—and she waved her hand—“speaking in the name of the thousands that are without, that I do, for they love me and I love them, and their mind is my mind and their words are my words.”
“Proud-spirited, and well spoken, like all her race,” muttered Benoni. Still he stroked his beard and hesitated.
“Be pleased to give your answer,” said the President, “that we may finish our discussion before the hour of evening prayer. To help you to it, remember one thing—we ask no new conditions.” Benoni glanced up quickly and the President added: “Those of which we have received a copy, that you swore to and signed in the presence of Marcus the Roman, are enough for us.”
Now it was Miriam’s turn to look, first up and then down. As for her grandfather, he turned white with anger, and broke into a bitter laugh.
“——that the arm of the Essenes is longer than you thought, since it can reach from here to Rome,” said the President.