more than recall your debates with my father? Son of Hur!"—she lowered her voice with singular dexterity, and, going nearer, spoke so her breath was warm upon his cheek—"son of Hur! he thou art going to find is to be King of the Jews, is he not?"
His heart beat fast and hard.
"A King of the Jews like Herod, only greater," she continued.
He looked away—into the night, up to the stars; then his eyes met hers, and lingered there; and her breath was on his lips, so near was she.
"Since morning," she said, further, "we have been having visions. Now if I tell you mine, will you serve me as well? What! silent still?"
She pushed his hand away, and turned as if to go; but he caught her, and said, eagerly, "Stay—stay and speak!"
She went back, and with her hand upon his shoulder, leaned against him; and he put his arm around her, and drew her close, very close; and in the caress was the promise she asked.
"Speak, and tell me thy visions, O Egypt, dear Egypt! A prophet—nay, not the Tishbite, not even the Lawgiver—could have refused an asking of thine. I am at thy will. Be merciful—merciful, I pray."
The entreaty passed apparently unheard, for looking up and nestling in his embrace, she said, slowly, "The vision which followed me was of magnificent war—war on land and sea—with clashing of arms and rush of armies, as if Cæsar and Pompey were come again, and Octavius and Antony. A cloud of dust and ashes arose and covered the world, and Rome was not any more; all dominion returned to the East; out of the cloud issued another race of heroes; and there were vaster satrapies and brighter crowns for giving away than were ever known. And, son of Hur, while the vision was passing, and after it was gone, I kept asking myself, 'What shall he not have who served the King earliest and best?' "
Again Ben-Hur recoiled. The question was the very question which had been with him all day. Presently he fancied he had the clew he wanted.
