Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/48

36 come back to thee with usury. May eternal life not fail thee, after all; and mayst thou yet reap all the joys that thou hast spurned; but if, perchance, thy dust shall fail to rise again in all the glory that thou covetest, and if the delusive promises of the Nazarene leave thee but one atom of remembering heart and brain, recall to thyself that Rebekah offered thee one certain thing for all this doubtful wealth, the love and passion of the proudest, loveliest woman in all Judæa."

"Nay, but it is not doubtful," answered Lazarus; "nor will I wait till I be risen to think of thee, for every day my prayer shall rise for thee, that thou too mayst love the Nazarene, and believe that He is sent of God."

" 'T will be a thankless, weary task," she retorted scornfully, as he raised her white hand to his lips. "Farewell, thou heartless, thou bewitched, misguided ruler."

With head erect, she stood motionless in the moonlight; and the heart within her seemed to die when Lazarus swung open the gate and passed out into the street. Like one in a dream she listened to his departing footsteps till they died away. This was the end, the bitter, bitter end; Lazarus would never belong to her. That one short hour in the fragrant, silent garden had brought him closer than ever he would be again. On that sweet memory she must feed till ages should have rolled away, while swathed in grave clothes of finest embroidered linen, the High Priest's daughter would be lying in her granite sepulchre.

Who would bring ointments and rare spices?