"As steward the care of the property will be mine."
"Count thyself steward now; or wilt thou have it in writing?"
"Thy word simply is enough; it was so with the father, and I will not more from the son. And now, if the understanding be perfect—" Simonides paused.
"It is with me," said Ben-Hur.
"And thou, daughter of Rachel, speak!" said Simonides, lifting her arm from his shoulder.
Esther, left thus alone, stood a moment abashed, her color coming and going; then she went to Ben-Hur, and said, with a womanliness singularly sweet, "I am not better than my mother was; and, as she is gone, I pray you, O my master, let me care for my father."
"Ben-Hur took her hand, and led her back to the chair, saying, "Thou art a good child. Have thy will."
Simonides replaced her arm upon his neck, and there was silence for a time in the room.
CHAPTER VIII.
Simonides looked up, none the less a master.
"Esther," he said, quietly, "the night is going fast; and, lest we become too weary for that which is before us, let the refreshments be brought."
She rang a bell. A servant answered with wine and bread, which she bore round.
"The understanding, good my master," continued Simonides, when all were served, "is not perfect in my sight. Henceforth our lives will run on together like rivers which have met and joined their waters. I think their flowing will be better if every cloud is blown from the sky above them. You left my door the other day with what seemed a denial of the claims which I have just allowed in the broadest terms; but it was not so, indeed it was not. Esther is witness that I recognized you; and that I did not abandon you, let Malluch say."
"Malluch!" exclaimed Ben-Hur.
"One bound to a chair, like me, must have many hands
