Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/46

34 hadst loved me, I would have tried to believe in this mad carpenter, for what thou believest I could not do otherwise than believe; and, if He promised thee Eternal Life, I too must needs have that Eternal Life; thus should I not leave thee either in life or death."

But here her voice grew shrill and angry, reminding Lazarus of those extraordinary fits of rage to which Caiaphas occasionally gave way.

"But if thou wilt not of me, then will I curse and curse and curse the Nazarene, because He and His strange doctrines have taken thy heart away from me; and my soul shall be upon thee, and, maybe, my life, for I cannot live without thee."

Kind-hearted as Lazarus was, his heart ached for this impetuous girl.

"Thou talkest foolishness," he said to her, trying even to smile away her excitement. "There are many noble rulers who are more worthy of the hand of Caiaphas's daughter than am I, who am so wrapt up in this one great conception of salvation."

"And what are great rulers to me, if they be not Lazarus?" she went on impatiently.

"Nay but, maiden, listen; Lazarus would be but a sorry husband for thee, with his heart given to the Christ. Maybe, one day the Christ will be condemned to death; for it is written that for the sins of the world He must yield His life; then they too will be condemned who loved Him, and thou and I, Rebekah, perchance would die a terrible death."

"What matter that, if I were with thee and thou wert with me?" she asked passionately, her