CHAPTER XXXII.
ROUND a blazing fire in the big hall leading into the court-yard sat the servants of Annas; for part of the daily scheme of Annas's career of hypocrisy was to be generous to his retainers. There were too many secrets hidden in the dark corners of his house for Annas to be able to neglect or quarrel with his servants.
"The good, the merciful Annas."
Thus spoke the house-servants of the much-hated High Priest. Of his own gold he had built a wall that shone and radiated upon him.
Round this fire the servants, men and women, hewers of wood, fetchers of water, grass-cutters, workmen, and maidens congregated to discuss what now had become almost the only topic of conversation amongst all classes. The excitement was increased by the fact of the propinquity of the subject of their conversation, wonder as to what Annas would do, and what the Nazarene would say.
While they talked and laughed and jested, one figure sat gloomily alone, warming his hands at the fire, colder at heart than outwardly, cursing himself for his impetuosity, bemoaning his temporary absence from his Master, fearing to speak, lest his tongue should betray the Galilean dialect, and fearing still more the vengeance of the man whose ear
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