Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/31

Rh tell me, maidens, saw ye any comely young men in the crowd?"

"Verily we saw Lazarus and Nicodemus and several wealthy rulers, listening so intently that they saw us not when we passed by."

"Oh, Nicodemus," she said scornfully, "that causeth me no surprise; but Lazarus!" She rose from the couch and went to the window and looked out, while she conjured up the beautiful, stern face of Lazarus. That was the man she had singled out in all Judæa to be the idol of her heart. On the few occasions of her seeing him, he had done no more than give her courteous recognition. Once, at the bidding of Caiaphas, Lazarus had come to the house, but he had barely addressed her. How well the young ruler remembered, when he had left her presence, how she had barred the doorway, and looking him in the eyes had said: "Why hatest thou me, Lazarus?" And how well she remembered the scorn in his eyes at her unmaidenly assurance, and yet the gentle courtesy of his voice, while he had answered: "Lady, I hate no one." And with a proud gesture she had moved aside and let him pass.

Then in that dark heart had sprung up a love that was so jealous and so fierce that it was almost hate.

"He shall love me, or he shall die," she had often murmured to herself.

But Lazarus came no more; and if, perchance, she saw him at some public gathering, he greeted her but distantly.

No alliance would have been more agreeable to Caiaphas than would this. Lazarus was wealthy, Lazarus was clever, and his life was such an one as