Pearl-Maiden eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 486 pages of information about Pearl-Maiden.

Pearl-Maiden eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 486 pages of information about Pearl-Maiden.

“I hear that there are wars and tumults in Judaea, and that Vespasian, a great general, is to be sent to quell them.  If I can I will come with him, but at present—­such is the madness of my master—­this is too much to hope, unless, indeed, he wearies suddenly of the ‘Divine Work’ and its attendant ‘Model.’

“Meanwhile I also cast incense upon your altar, and pray that in these troubles you may come to no harm.

“Miriam, I am most unhappy.  I think of you always and yet I cannot come to you.  I picture you in many dangers, and I am not there to save you.  I even dare to hope that you would wish to see me again; but it is the Jew Caleb, and other men, who see you and make offerings to your sweet beauty as I make them to your spirit.  I beseech you, Miriam, do not accept the offerings, lest in some day to come, when I am once more a soldier, and have ceased to be a custodian of busts, it should be the worse for those worshippers, and especially for Caleb.

“What else have I to tell you?  I have sought out some of the great preachers of your faith, hoping that by the magic whereof they are said to be masters, they would be able to assure me of your welfare.  But to my sorrow they gave me no magic—­in which it seems they do not deal—­only maxims.  Also, from these I bought for a great sum certain manuscripts written by themselves containing the doctrines of your law, which I intend to study so soon as I have time.  Indeed, this is a task which I wish to postpone, since did I read I might believe and turn Christian, to serve in due course as a night-light in Nero’s gardens.

“I send you a present, praying that you will accept it.  The emerald in the ring is cut by my friend, the sculptor Glaucus.  The pearls are fine and have a history which I hope to tell you some day.  Wear them always, beloved Miriam, for my sake.  I do not forget your words; nay, I ponder them day and night.  But at least you said you loved me, and in wearing these trinkets you break no duty to the dead.  Write to me, I pray you, if you can find a messenger.  Or, if you cannot write, think of me always as I do of you.  Oh, that we were back together in that happy village of the Essenes, to whom, as to yourself, be all good fortune!  Farewell.

“Your ever faithful friend and lover,

“Marcus.”

Miriam finished her letter, kissed it, and hid it in her bosom.  Then she opened the packet and unlocked the ivory box within by a key that hung to it.  Out of the casket she took a roll of soft leather.  This she undid and uttered a little cry of joy, for there lay a necklace of the most lovely pearls that she had ever seen.  Nor was this all, for threaded on the pearls was a ring, and cut upon its emerald bezel the head of Marcus, and her own head taken from the likeness she had given him.

“Look!  Nou, look!” said Miriam, showing her the beauteous trinkets.

“A sight to make old eyes glisten,” answered Nehushta handling them.  “I know something of pearls, and these are worth a fortune.  Happy maid, to whom is given such a lover.”

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Project Gutenberg
Pearl-Maiden from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.