should the Son of God come thus to judge the world?"
"He cometh not for judgment, but to save the world," replied the Virgin, her face still illumined by the wondrous light. "He came to call sinners to repentance. 'T is God that judgeth, and He will come again to judge the world."
"Why, then, do I not believe?" asked Caiaphas."
"Because thou wilt not, Caiaphas," replied the Virgin fearlessly.
A long silence followed, while Caiaphas mused. Then, as if suddenly remembering that these two women stood still before him, he looked up.
"Leave me, I pray you, to consider of this thing, for it hath never so been known in Israel."
Then came to pass a thing which never yet had been. Caiaphas, the great High Priest, escorted the two women through the ante-chambers and past the soldiers to the street.
