Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/185

Rh come, and to plead for the Nazarene; for I hear that thou art altogether gone over to His teaching. 'T is true that He is not yet arrested; but, doubtless, thou hast heard that He is being sought for by the soldiers."

"Nay, most noble Roman, I come not to beg the life of the Christ. For the good of the nation it must needs be that He die. He Himself doth hourly prepare for that great day of grief. I have a message for thee from Nicodemus."

Then, glancing round at the two soldiers, who stood one on each side of the doorway, she continued meekly: "But what I have to say is for the ear of Pontius Pilate only."

Pilate waved his hand to the soldiers to leave the room; also to the scribe who, with feigned diligence, was writing in a corner of the room, shooting salacious glances at the Magdalene, and hopeful that Pontius Pilate would forget his presence.

"And thou too, thou eavesdropper," said Pontius Pilate with a laugh, noting the direction of the Magdalene's eyes. "Thou too canst go, and, if thou wilt listen, listen without the door."

Then the Magdalene stepped nearer to the table at which the Governor was seated.

"Will Pontius Pilate pledge his honour to a poor woman," said the Magdalene, "that the words which I shall speak to thee this day no ears but thine shall ever hear?"

"I promise thee on my honour as a Roman. I swear to thee on the life of my wife, whom I hold most dear of all that I possess, that no one shall ever hear again the words thou shalt say to me this day."