Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/250

Rh She was sixteen. He knew it well. On the last natal day he had gone with her to the shipyard where there was a launch, and the yellow flag which the galley bore to its bridal with the waves had on it &quot;Esther;&quot; so they celebrated the day together. Yet the fact struck him now with the force of a surprise. There are realizations which come to us all painfully; mostly, however, such as pertain to ourselves; that we are growing old, for instance; and, more terrible, that we must die. Such a one crept into his heart, shadowy as the shadows, yet substantial enough to wring from him a sigh which was almost a groan. It was not sufficient that she should enter upon her young womanhood a servant, but she must carry to her master her affections, the truth and tenderness and delicacy of which he the father so well knew, because to this time they had all been his own undividedly. The fiend whose task it is to torture us with fears and bitter thoughts seldom does his work by halves. In the pang of the moment, the brave old man lost sight of his new scheme, and of the miraculous king its subject. By a mighty effort, however, he controlled himself, and asked, calmly, &quot;Not go into the Circus, Esther? Why, child?&quot;

&quot;It is not a place for a son of Israel, father.&quot;

&quot;Rabbinical, rabbinical, Esther! Is that all?&quot;

The tone of the inquiry was searching, and went to her heart, which began to beat loudly—so loudly she could not answer. A confusion new and strangely pleasant fell upon her.

&quot;The young man is to have the fortune,&quot; he said, taking her hand, and speaking more tenderly; &quot;he is to have the ships and the shekels—all, Esther, all. Yet I did not feel poor, for thou wert left me, and thy love so like the dead Rachel’s. Tell me, is he to have that too?&quot;

She bent over him, and laid her cheek against his head.

&quot;Speak, Esther. I will be the stronger of the knowledge. In warning there is strength.&quot;

She sat up then, and spoke as if she were Truth's holy self.

&quot;Comfort thee, father. I will never leave thee; though he take my love, I will be thy handmaid ever as now.&quot;