Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/294

282 lest, by some mischance, it might be he, mindful that sin was ever near, each one cried out: "Is it I? Is it I?"

Had they by any negligence, by any accident, by any careless guarding of their tongues, betrayed the Lord? God forbid; and a silent prayer went up from all, save Judas: "Lord, save us from this thing."

Then, with a hypocritical smile, trying still, as so many have tried, to brazen out a lie, Judas leaned forward and asked: "Rabbi, is it I?"

And Jesus, looking at him with deepest pity in His eyes, made answer: "Thou hast said." And, with the words, He dipped a piece of the Passover cake into a cup of wine and handed it to Judas.

Maybe, even now He hoped by this great act of condescension to win him over. It was as though He said: "Although it is thou, yet I still love thee; I still offer thee the salvation that is offered to others. Wilt thou not take it?"

For one instant, Judas recoiled before his deed; for one instant he hesitated. Then, as if to defy them all, he dipped his fingers in the cup and took the divine offering. A murmur rose from the little body.

One leaned over to the other and said: "Shall we smite him? Shall we slay him?"

But Peter, with a voice thick with passion, cried out: "Seest thou the red drops of wine upon thy fingers? So shall the blood of Jesus be upon thee forever and ever."

Then, when violence seemed imminent, for each rose from his seat and approached Judas menacingly,