Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/564

Rh the day of the crucifixion but one sorrow had befallen them: that was when the mother of Ben-Hur died; and then and now their grief would have been greater but for their Christian faith.

The ship spoken of had arrived only the day before, bringing intelligence of the persecution of Christians begun by Nero in Rome, and the party on the terrace were talking of the news when Malluch, who was still in their service, approached and delivered a package to Ben-Hur. &quot;Who brings this?&quot; the latter asked, after reading.

&quot;An Arab.&quot;

&quot;Where is he?&quot;

&quot;He left immediately.&quot;

&quot;Listen,&quot; said Ben-Hur to Simonides.

He read then the following letter :

Ben-Hur next unrolled a scrap of papyrus yellow as a withered mulberry leaf. It required the daintiest handling. Proceeding, he read:

&quot;What say you ?&quot; asked Ben-Hur, of Simonides.

Esther took the papers pleased, and read them to