Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/123

Rh —a silken cap, Tyrian-dyed; and over that a striped scarf of the same material, beautifully embroidered, and wound about in thin folds so as to show the shape of the head without enlarging it; the whole finished by a tassel dropping from the crown point of the cap. She had rings, ear and finger; anklets and bracelets, all of gold; and around her neck there was a collar of gold, curiously garnished with a network of delicate chains, to which were pendants of pearl. The edges of her eyelids were painted, and the tips of her fingers stained. Her hair fell in two long plaits down her back. A curled lock rested upon each cheek in front of the ear. Altogether it would have been impossible to deny her grace, refinement, and beauty. &quot;Very pretty, my Tirzah, very pretty!&quot; he said, with animation.

&quot;The song?&quot; she asked.

&quot;Yes—and the singer, too. It has the conceit of a Greek. Where did you get it?&quot;

&quot;You remember the Greek who sang in the theatre last month? They said he used to be a singer at the court for Herod and his sister Salome. He came out just after an exhibition of wrestlers, when the house was full of noise. At his first note everything became so quiet that I heard every word. I got the song from him.&quot;

&quot;But he sang in Greek.&quot;

&quot;And I in Hebrew.&quot;

&quot;Ah, yes. I am proud of my little sister. Have you another as good?&quot;

&quot;Very many. But let them go now. Amrah sent me to tell you she will bring you your breakfast, and that you need not come down. She should be here by this time. She thinks you sick—that a dreadful accident happened you yesterday. What was it? Tell me, and I will help Amrah doctor you. She knows the cures of the Egyptians, who were always a stupid set; but I have a great many recipes of the Arabs who—&quot; &quot;Are even more stupid than the Egyptians,&quot; he said, shaking his head. &quot;Do you think so? Very well, then,&quot; she replied, almost without pause, and putting her hands to her left ear.