Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/375

Rh 't will be sweet to me, and such moments will be rare henceforth."

" 'T is verily true," said Claudia; "for the Magdalene and Mary have seen Him, and He hath spoken with them; and they say that He hath sent a wondrous message to the whole world."

Hastily Pilate dressed and left the house without his usual guard.

For all it was so early, he yet found Caiaphas dressed and busy writing, and he could not but admire the power and energy of the man. A great uneasiness seized the heart of Caiaphas at this early, unexpected visit, for, since the condemnation of Jesus of Nazareth, he had felt ever a great restlessness and anxiety he could not account for, a dread of some catastrophe whose nature he could not forecast. Yet, when he rose, he sought to hide his fears.

How may I serve thee?" he inquired, his face taking on the smile that so exasperated Pilate.

"Methought I would be the first to tell thee some strange news," said Pilate, in that taunting tone which in one less noble-hearted would have marked the bully. "The Nazarene hath risen! Even now He walketh about Jerusalem, as though thou hadst never hated Him and I had never allowed Him to be condemned. At any moment He may appear to thee and me, and woe betide us both."

" 'T is a lie!" gasped Caiaphas hoarsely, clutching at his table, yet failing to find it in his perturbation; his fingers seemed to clasp and unclasp the air behind him.

"Thou were ever courteous," answered Pilate,