The City of Delight

"Yes; but they declare they will have no king but God; no commander

but the Messiah to come; no order but primitive impulse! But the

Maccabee will change all that! It is but the far swing of the first

revolt. Jerusalem is ready for reason at this hour, it is said."

"Yes," Philip assented with a little more spirit. "It hath reached us,

who have dealings with the East, that there is a better feeling in the

city. Such slaughter has been done there among the Sadducees, such

hordes of rebels from outlying subjugated towns have poured their

license and violence in upon the safe City of Delight, that the

citizens of Jerusalem actually look forward to the coming of Titus as

a deliverance from the afflictions which their own people have visited

upon them."

"The hour for the Maccabee, indeed," Costobarus ruminated.

"And the hour for Him whom we all expect," Philip added in a low tone.

Costobarus bowed his head. Presently he drew a scroll from the folds

of his ample robe.

"Hear what Philadelphus writes me: Cæsarea, II Kal. Jul. XX.

To Costobarus, greetings and these by messenger; I learn on arriving in this city that Judea is in truth no man's

country. Wherefore it can be mine by cession or conquest. It is

mine, however, by right. I shall possess it.

I go hence to Jerusalem.

Fail not to send my wife thither and her dowry. Aquila, my

emissary, will safely conduct her. Trust him.

Proceed with despatch and husband the dowry of your daughter,

since it is to be the corner-stone of a new Israel.

Peace to you and yours. To my wife my affection and my loyalty.

PHILADELPHUS MACCABAEUS.

Nota Bene. Julian of Ephesus accompanies me. He is my cousin. He

will in all probability meet your daughter at the Gate.

MACCABAEUS."

Slowly the old man rolled the writing.

"He wastes no words," Philip mused. "He writes as a siege-engine

talks--without quarter."

Costobarus nodded.

"So I am giving him two hundred talents," he said deliberately.

"Two hundred talents!" Philip echoed.

"And I summoned thee, Philip, to say that in addition to my house and

its goods, thou canst have my shipping, my trade, my caravans, which

thou hast coveted so long at a price--at that price. I shall give

Laodice two hundred talents."

"Two hundred talents!" Philip echoed again, somewhat taken aback.

Costobarus went to a cabinet on the wall and drew forth a shittim-wood

case which he unlocked. Therefrom he took a small casket and opened

it. He then held it so that the sun, falling into it, set fire to a

bed of loose gems mingled without care for kind or value--a heap of

glowing color emitting sparks.