Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/466

Rh find him in the Grove of Daphne. He was never heard of as present in the atria of Rome. But, son of Hur, I have a wish.&quot;

&quot;A wish! Where is he who could say it no?&quot;

&quot;I will try you.&quot;

&quot;Tell it then.&quot;

&quot;It is very simple. I wish to help you.&quot; She drew closer as she spoke.

He laughed, and replied, lightly, &quot;O Egypt!—I came near saying dear Egypt!—does not the sphinx abide in your country?&quot;

&quot;Well?&quot;

&quot;You are one of its riddles. Be merciful, and give me a little clew to help me understand you. In what do I need help? And how can you help me?&quot;

She took her hand from him, and, turning to the camel, spoke to it endearingly, and patted its monstrous head as it were a thing of beauty.

&quot;O thou last and swiftest and stateliest of the herds of Job! Sometimes thou, too, goest stumbling, because the way is rough and stony and the burden grievous. How is it thou knowest the kind intent by a word, and always makest answer gratefully, though the help offered is from a woman? I will kiss thee, thou royal brute!&quot;—she stooped and touched its broad forehead with her lips, saying immediately, &quot;because in thy intelligence there is no suspicion!&quot;

And Ben-Hur, restraining himself, said calmly, &quot;The reproach has not failed its mark, O Egypt! I seem to say thee no; may it not be because I am under seal of honor, and by my silence cover the lives and fortunes of others?&quot;

&quot;May be!&quot; she said, quickly. &quot;It is so.&quot;

He shrank a step, and asked, his voice sharp with amazement, &quot;What all knowest thou?&quot;

She answered, after a laugh,

&quot;Why do men deny that the senses of women are sharper than theirs? Your face has been under my eyes all day. I had but to look at it to see you bore some weight in mind; and to find the weight, what had I to do