soldiers who had been wounded or had lost their health in the war, a fact which must cause every patriotic citizen to bid more briskly.  These lots, he might say, were unique, being nothing else than the fifteen most beautiful girls, believed all of them to be of noble blood, among the many thousands who had been captured at the sack of Jerusalem, the city of the Jews, especially selected to adorn the great conqueror’s Triumph.  No true judge, who desired a charming memento of the victory of his country’s arms, would wish to neglect such an opportunity, especially as he was informed that the Jewish women were affectionate, docile, well instructed in many arts, and very hard-working.  He had only one more thing to say, or rather two things.  He regretted that this important sale should be held at so unusual an hour.  The reason was that there was really no place where these slaves could be comfortably kept without risk of their maltreatment or escape, so it was held to be best that they should be removed at once to the seclusion of their new homes, a decision, he was sure, that would meet the wishes of buyers.  The second point was that among them was one lot of surpassing interest; namely, the girl who had come to be generally spoken of as Pearl-Maiden.

This young woman, who could not be more than three or four-and-twenty years of age, was the last representative of a princely family of the Jews.  She had been found exposed upon one of the gates of the holy house of that people, where it would seem she was sentenced to perish for some offence against their barbarous laws.  As the clamours of the populace that day had testified, she was of the most delicate and distinguished beauty, and the collar of great pearls which she wore about her neck gave evidence of her rank.  If he knew anything of the tastes of his countrymen the price which would be paid for her must prove a record even in that ring.  He was aware that among the vulgar a great, almost a divine name had been coupled with that of this captive.  Well, he knew nothing, except this, that he was certain that if there was any truth in the matter the owner of the name, as became a noble and a generous nature, would wish to obtain his prize fairly and openly.  The bidding was as free to the humblest there—­provided, of course, that he could pay, and he might remark that not an hour’s credit would be given except to those who were known to him—­as to Caesar himself.  Now, as the light was failing, he would order the torches to be lit and commence the sale.  The beauteous Pearl-Maiden, he might add, was Lot No. 7.

So the torches were lit, and presently the first victim was led out and placed upon a stand of marble in the centre of the flaring ring.  She was a dark-haired child of about sixteen years of age, who stared round her with a frightened gaze.