“It so occurs, madam, that I can point out to you the disease which saps my husband’s ambition.  You observe that he is diverted now, as all men are diverted six weeks after marriage—­by another woman.  I am not a jealous woman.  I am only concerned for his welfare and the welfare of the city of our fathers.  For it is not himself that his luxurious indolence affects; but all the unhappy city which is suffering while he is able to help it.  He must be saved.  And I shall go with him out of this house into want and peril, but he shall be saved.”

Laodice said nothing.  She stood drawn up intensely; her brows knitted; her teeth on her lip; her insulted pride and growing resolution effecting a certain magnificence in her pose.

“I can find her another house,” Amaryllis said.

“Also my husband can find it,” the woman broke in.  “Let the streets do their will with the woman of the streets.  Bread and shelter are too precious to waste on the iniquitous this hour.”

Amaryllis turned to Laodice.

“What wilt thou do?” she asked.

“The streets can offer me no more insult than is offered me in this house,” she said slowly.

It was in her mind that there were certainly unprotected gates at which she could get out of the city and return to Ascalon.

At least the peril for her in this house was already too imminent for her to remain longer.  She continued to Amaryllis: 

“Lady, you have been kind to me—­in your way.  You have been so in the face of your doubt that I am what I claim to be.  How happy, then, you would have made my lot had I not been supplanted and denied!  For all this I thank you.  Mine would be a poor gratitude if I stay to make you regret your generosity.  Wherefore I will go.”

She slipped past the three and entered her room.  Before Amaryllis could gather resolution to protest, she was out again, clothed in mantle and vitta and, walking swiftly, disappeared into the vestibule.  As they sat in the darkening hall, the three heard the doors close behind her.

“She will return,” said Philadelphus coolly, moving away.

Gathering her robes about her, Salome swept out of the corridor and away.  Amaryllis stood alone.

Somewhere out in the city was Hesper the Ephesian.  Amaryllis knew that Laodice would not return.

Chapter XVII

THE TANGLED WEB

Meanwhile Jerusalem was in the fury of barbarous warfare.  At this ravine and that debouching upon Golgotha, the Vale of Hinnom and the Valley of Tophet, whole legions of besiegers were stationed.  Along the walls the men of Simon and the men of John tramped in armor.  From the various gates furious sorties were made by swarms of unorganized Jews who fell upon the Romans unused to frantic warfare, and slaughtered, set fire to engines, destroyed banks and threw down fortifications and retreated within the gates before the demoralized Romans could rally.