“What antics indeed!” she murmured perfunctorily.

“Now they want new entertainment; something immense and different,” he said.

She looked up at him; in her eyes he read, “Even as I do!”

“But they are not unique in that,” he continued.  “All the world seeks diversion.  Observe the pretty stranger come here fresh from some lady’s tiring-room, hunting adventure, bearding thee and wearing thy name!”

Her eyes sparkled.

“She shall have adventure enough,” she declared.

“I hear,” John pursued, “that she does not expect her servant to return, whom she sent to Ascalon for proofs.”

“No?” the woman cried, sitting up.

“How can she, when the siege is laid?”

There was a moment of silence.  The woman drew in a deep breath that was wholly one of relief.

“Now what will she do?” she asked.

“She expects,” John answered, “the mediation of the Messiah.  It is the talk among the slaves that He is in the city and she has heard it.  She seems not to be overconfident, however.”

“It is her end,” the woman remarked with meaning.

“Perchance not.  She is a good Jew, it seems, whatever else she may be, and every good Jew may have his wishes come to pass if the Messiah come.  So it has become the national habit to expect the Messiah in every individual difficulty.  Now, according to prophecies, the time is of a surety ripe and the whole city is expectant.  She may have her wish.”

She stared at him coolly.  There was implied disbelief in this speech. 
She debated with herself if it would serve to resent his doubt. 
Whatever her conclusion she added no more to the discussion of
Laodice’s hopes.

“Are you expectant?” she asked.

“I see the need of a Messiah,” he responded.

“Doubtless.  You and Simon do not unite the city; nothing but an united, confident and supremely capable people can resist Rome in even this most majestic fortification in the world—­unless miracle be performed, indeed.”

“Nothing but a divine visitor can achieve union here.”

“What an event to behold!” she mused.  “That would be an excitement!  Surely that would be a new thing!  No one really ever beheld a god before.”

“What learned things dreams are!  What things of experience!” he remarked with a sly smile.  She refused to observe his insisted disbelief in her claim, but went on as if to herself.

“Whatever Jove can do, man can do!” she declared.  “I never heard that the gods do more than change maidens into trees or themselves into swans for an old mortal purpose that even man’s a better adept at.  Why can there not rise one who is greater than Alexander and of stouter heart than Julius Caesar?  There is no limit to the greatness of mankind.  Behold, here is a city rich beyond even the wealth of Croesus; and a country which the emperor is longing to bestow upon some orderly king!  Heavens, what an opportunity!  I could pray, Jerusalem should pray, that the hour may bring forth the man!”