Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/97

Rh He would not let me. If His hour had come He would bid me be silent and watch for the workings of the Lord."

Then there came a great longing over her to hurry on and warn them of their danger, for where Caiaphas went there mischief must for sure be brewing. She knew a short cut through the olive groves, if only it was not too dark. But who was the other man? She strained her ears to listen. They were close to her now. They halted and seemed engaged on some hot argument, for they paused to catch their breath. Truly to marvels there was no end. The man with Caiaphas was Nicodemus. For one instant there floated through her mind the thought that Nicodemus had persuaded Caiaphas to go and witness the expected miracle, the bringing back of Lazarus to life. For one moment her heart beat with joy. Oh, if Caiaphas also should believe!

The kingdom of God would be established, and Jesus would reign for ever. Then her sudden joy expired; it was not to be; she knew it well from Jesus' lips that He must die. Then mischief must be abroad; either Nicodemus was a traitor, or Caiaphas had laid a plot. They were on their way to Martha's house, but with no good intent, and her heart ached for the poor women left alone at such a moment. She must hasten to warn them; but how? The only road by which she could reach Bethany sooner than Caiaphas and Nicodemus was one beset with dangers; through dark olive groves, that often at night were infested with evil-doers. To the forgiven Magdalene, the newly awakened, purified Magdalene, fear came in a new form. Her former