“So far well,” he said, “but that is not enough.”

The buyer beckoned to the man with her who stood in the corner, his face hidden by the shadow, and he dragged forward the second basket, which he had already unstrapped from his shoulders.  Here also were lettuces, and beneath the lettuces gold.  When the full two thousand sestertia were counted, that is, over fifteen thousand pounds of our money, this second basket still remained more than a third full.

“I ought to have run you up, madam,” said the auctioneer, surveying the shining gold with greedy eyes.

“Yes,” she replied calmly, “if you had guessed the truth you might have done so.  But who knows the truth, except myself?”

“Are you a sorceress?” he asked.

“Perhaps.  What does it matter?  At least, the gold will not melt.  And, by the way, it is troublesome carrying so much of the stuff back again.  Would you like a couple of handfuls for yourself, and say ten pieces for your clerk?  Yes?  Well, please first fill in that deed with the name that I shall give you and with your own as witness?  Here it is—­’Miriam, daughter of Demas and Rachel, born in the year of the death of Herod Agrippa.’  Thank you.  You have signed, and the clerk also, I think.  Now I will take that roll.

“One thing more, there is another door to this Receiving-house?  With your leave I should prefer to go out that way, as my newly acquired property seems tired, and for one day has had enough of public notice.  You will, I understand, give us a few minutes to depart before you return to the rostrum, and your clerk will be so courteous as to escort us out of the Forum.  Now help yourself.  Man, can’t you make your hand larger than that?  Well, it will suffice to pay for a summer holiday.  I see a cloak there which may serve to protect this slave from the chill air of the night.  In case it should be claimed, perhaps these five pieces will pay for it.  Most noble and courteous sir, again I thank you.  Young woman, throw this over your bare shoulders and your head; that necklace might tempt the dishonest.

“Now, if our guide is ready we will be going.  Slave, bring the basket, at the weight of which you need no longer groan, and you, young woman, strap on this other basket; it is as well that you should begin to be instructed in your domestic duties, for I tell you at once that having heard much of the skill of the Jews in those matters, I have bought you to be my cook and to attend to the dressing of my hair.  Farewell, sir, farewell; may we never meet again.”

“Farewell,” replied the astonished auctioneer, “farewell, my lady Mulier, who can afford to give two thousand sestertia for a cook!  Good luck to you, and if you are always as liberal as this, may we meet once a month, say I. Yet have no fear,” he added meaningly, “I know when I have been well treated and shall not seek you out—­even to please Caesar himself.”

Three minutes later, under the guidance of the clerk, who was as discreet as his master, they had passed, quite undisturbed, through various dark colonnades and up a flight of marble stairs.