Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/164

152 Uneasy at her words, Caiaphas turned to another subject: "It seemeth thy Son did not raise Lazarus?"

"He will be raised up," replied the Virgin.

"At the resurrection, forsooth," said Caiaphas, shrugging his shoulders.

Then the Magdalene, who had been silent, burst forth with a gleam of triumphant daring: "Yet I spake with Lazarus yesterday."

The brows of Caiaphas flushed crimson, and he clenched his fists. Terrified almost, he leaned forward, and forgetful of all else, he gasped: "Thou hast talked with Lazarus?" Then, shaking his head and rising from his chair: "Thou art mad, woman. Thy penitence hath turned thy brain. But now they brought me tidings that he hath lain in his grave two days." With strange agitation he rose and paced the room. "The soldiers, too, must be bewitched, since they fear to tell me what hath happened."

Then the voice of the Virgin rose distinct and clear: " 'T was but his spirit Mary saw."

"Ha! thou shouldst not speak in parables, Magdalene, for they ill become thy lips, which are made rather for man's kisses than for the telling of grave matters. His spirit forsooth! Thou lovest Lazarus, and in thy dreams he visited thee. Poor fond, foolish woman, he is no more on earth." Then, turning from her, he addressed the Virgin: "There are strange things spoken of thy Son's birth. Is He in truth not the Son of thine husband? Then whose Son is He? These incredible reports work harm; they but unsettle the minds of men and entangle