Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/385

Rh Sheik Ilderim would be to antagonize the Desert, over which lie all Maxentius’s lines of operation. &quot;Wherefore Simonides bade me tell you to have no disquiet; Messala will pay.&quot;

Ilderim was at once restored to his good-humor.

&quot;Let us be off now,&quot; he said, rubbing his hands. &quot;The business will do well with Simonides. The glory is ours. I will order the horses.&quot;

&quot;Stay,&quot; said Malluch. &quot;I left a messenger outside. Will you see him?&quot;

&quot;By the splendor of God! I forgot him.&quot;

Malluch retired, and was succeeded by a lad of gentle manners and delicate appearance, who knelt upon one knee, and said, winningly, &quot;Iras, the daughter of Balthasar, well known to good Sheik Ilderim, hath intrusted me with a message to the sheik, who, she saith, will do her great favor so he receive her congratulations on account of the victory of his four.&quot;

&quot;The daughter of my friend is kind,&quot; said Ilderim, with sparkling eyes. &quot;Do thou give her this jewel, in sign of the pleasure I have from her message.&quot;

He took a ring from his finger as he spoke.

&quot;I will as thou sayest, O sheik,&quot; the lad replied, and continued, &quot;The daughter of the Egyptian charged me further. She prays the good Sheik Ilderim to send word to the youth Ben-Hur that her father hath taken residence for a time in the palace of Idernee, where she will receive the youth after the fourth hour to-morrow. And if, with her congratulations, Sheik Ilderim will accept her gratitude for this other favor done, she will be ever so pleased.&quot;

The sheik looked at Ben-Hur, whose face was suffused with pleasure.

&quot;What will you?&quot; he asked.

&quot;By your leave, O sheik, I will see the fair Egyptian.&quot;

Ilderim laughed, and said, &quot;Shall not a man enjoy his youth?&quot;

Then Ben-Hur answered the messenger.

&quot;Say to her who sent you that I, Ben-Hur, will see her at the palace of Idernee, wherever that may be, to-morrow at noon.&quot;