Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/81

Rh into a tower of great height. Suddenly the guide halted, and, pointing through an open door, said to them,

&quot;Enter. The king is there.&quot;

The air of the chamber was heavy with the perfume of sandal-wood, and all the appointments within were effeminately rich. Upon the floor, covering the central space, a tufted rug was spread, and upon that a throne was set. The visitors had but time, however, to catch a confused idea of the place—of carved and gilt ottomans and couches; of fans and jars and musical instruments; of golden candle sticks glittering in their own lights; of walls painted in the style of the voluptuous Grecian school, one look at which had made a Pharisee hide his head with holy horror. Herod, sitting upon the throne to receive them, clad as when at the conference with the doctors and lawyers, claimed all their minds.

At the edge of the rug, to which they advanced uninvited, they prostrated themselves. The king touched a bell. An attendant came in, and placed three stools before the throne.

&quot;Seat yourselves,&quot; said the monarch, graciously.

&quot;From the North Gate,&quot; he continued, when they were at rest, &quot;I had this afternoon report of the arrival of three strangers, curiously mounted, and appearing as if from far countries. Are you the men?&quot;

The Egyptian took the sign from the Greek and the Hindoo, and answered, with the profoundest salaam, &quot;Were we other than we are, the mighty Herod, whose fame is as incense to the whole world, would not have sent for us. We may not doubt that we are the strangers.&quot;

Herod acknowledged the speech with a wave of the hand.

&quot;Who are you? Whence do you come?&quot; he asked, adding significantly, &quot;Let each speak for himself.&quot;

In turn they gave him account, referring simply to the cities and lands of their birth, and the routes by which they came to Jerusalem. Somewhat disappointed, Herod plied them more directly.

&quot;What was the question you put to the officer at the gate?&quot;