The City of Delight

The courier withdrew. When his footsteps died away the old merchant

reached under the divan and drew forth the shittim-wood box. Producing

a key he unlocked and opened it. From his bosom he drew forth the

letter from Philadelphus and laid it within.

"Let her take it with her," he said, speaking aloud. "Here," lifting a

cylinder of old silver exquisitely chased, "are her marriage papers;

this," lifting delicately embroidered squares of linen, "her marriage

tokens, and here, her dowry."

He opened the inner box and laid the sheepskin wallet in upon the

gems. He closed the lid, and, locking the case, lifted it and set it

beside him on the divan.

When he looked up, he saw a man standing within a few paces of him and

perfunctorily gazing at anything but the display of Laodice's fortune.

He was lean, muscular, somewhat younger than forty but already gray at

the temples, of nervous temperament, direct of gaze and of attractive

presence. He wore a tunic of gray wool bordered with red, and a gray

mantle hung negligently from his shoulders. Limbs and arms were bare

and his head-covering of red wool hung from his arm.

Costobarus, a little discomfited that he had been surprised with

Laodice's dowry exposed, spoke briskly.

"Well, Aquila? Prepared?"

"Everything is in order. I am ready to proceed at once."

"How many in your party?"

"But myself."

"Have you ever been to Jerusalem?"

"Never."

"How, then," Costobarus asked, with a keen look, "came Philadelphus to

appoint you to conduct Laodice to the city?"

"His retinue is small; he could not come himself, and he chose me as

safer than the other member of his party," was the direct reply.

Costobarus studied this reply before he questioned his son-in-law's

courier further.

"Jerusalem, they say, is in disorder. How will you get my daughter to

shelter when you have reached the city?"

"Philadelphus hath instructed me that there will be a Greek at the Sun

Gate daily, awaiting us. He will wear a purple turban embroidered with

a golden star. He will conduct us to the house of Amaryllis the

Seleucid, who is pledged to the Maccabee's cause. Philadelphus will be

in her house."

"Why hers?" Costobarus persisted.

"Because it is the only secure house in Jerusalem. She stands in the

good graces of John of Gischala and she is safe."

Costobarus ruminated.

"There is too much detail; too many people to depend upon and

therefore too many who may fail you. Aquila!"