Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/249

Rh while we are;&quot; then he laughed at himself. &quot;Why, Esther, heard you ever the like? Surely, I have on me the passion of a singer, the heat of blood and the thrill of Miriam and David. In my thoughts, which should be those of a plain worker in figures and facts, there is a confusion of cymbals clashing and harp-strings loud beaten, and the voices of a multitude standing around a new-risen throne. I will put the thinking by for the present; only, dear, when the king comes he will need money and men, for as he was a child born of woman he will be but a man after all, bound to human ways as you and I are. And for the money he will have need of getters and keepers, and for the men leaders. There, there! See you not a broad road for my walking, and the running of the youth our master? and at the end of it glory and revenge for us both?—and—and&quot;—he paused, struck with the selfishness of a scheme in which she had no part or good result; then added, kissing her, &quot;And happiness for thy mother’s child.&quot;

She sat still, saying nothing. Then he remembered the difference in natures, and the law by which we are not permitted always to take delight in the same cause or be equally afraid of the same thing. He remembered she was but a girl.

&quot;Of what are you thinking, Esther?&quot; he said, in his common home-like way. &quot;If the thought have the form of a wish, give it me, little one, while the power remains mine. For power, you know, is a fretful thing, and hath its wings always spread for flight.&quot;

She answered with a simplicity almost childish,

&quot;Send for him, father. Send for him to-night, and do not let him go into the Circus.&quot;

&quot;Ah!&quot; he said, prolonging the exclamation; and again his eyes fell upon the river, where the shadows were more shadowy than ever, since the moon had sunk far down behind Sulpius, leaving the city to the ineffectual stars. Shall we say it, reader? He was touched by a twinge of jealousy. If she should really love the young master! Oh no! That could not be; she was too young. But the idea had fast grip, and directly held him still and cold.