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'The light was yet not sufficient to see but to a little distance. Nothing was visible upon the smooth surface of the water, nor any sound heard. "His own rash fury has destroyed him," said the Roman, who we now could discern bore the rank of Centurion. "We seek," said he, turning toward where the Queen sat, "we seek Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra." "I am Zenobia," said the Queen.
Father Louis had not the slightest recollection of any such mention, but, out of politeness, he murmured: "Of course! Why, of course!" "Well, then, old dear, you must tell me where she hangs out here! I must go and give her a hug and a kiss!" Mechanically, the innkeeper directed Aunt Palmyra.
Piso, you have seen something of the attachment of this people to their Queen. But you know not the one half of the truth. There is not a living man in Palmyra, save only Antiochus, who would not lay down his life for Zenobia. I except not myself. This attachment is founded in part upon great and admirable qualities.
It was toward Palmyra that he was bending his way: and, as I now remember, promised that he would see me here not many days after I should arrive, and have the pleasure, as he trusted, to sell me more of his goods; for you must be told that I did indeed traffic with him, however little it became a patrician of Rome.
"At the time when I saw her, she was thinking of her statue of Zenobia. She was studying the history of Palmyra, reading up on the manners and customs of its people, and examining Eastern relics and costumes.
Even the name of Tadmor, or Palmyra, by its signification in the Syriac as well as in the Latin language, denoted the multitude of palm-trees which afforded shade and verdure to that temperate region. The air was pure, and the soil, watered by some invaluable springs, was capable of producing fruits as well as corn.
On his advance into Syria he had received an embassy from a certain Odenathus, a Syrian, or Arab chief, who occupied a position of semi-independence at Palmyra, which through the advantages of its situation, had lately become a flourishing commercial town.
By them a story was accordingly devised to the effect that golden plates had been found buried near Palmyra, New York, containing a record inscribed on them in unknown characters, which, when deciphered by the power of inspiration, gave the history of the ten lost tribes of Israel in their wanderings through Asia into America, where they had settled and flourished, and where, in due time, Christ came and preached the Gospel to them, appointed his twelve Apostles, and was crucified here, nearly in the same manner he had been in Jerusalem.
I heeded him but little, pressing on to meet Gracchus. 'So, I exclaimed, 'it is not to-day' 'No, rejoined Gracchus, visibly moved, 'nor to-morrow, Piso. Read here. And placing a parchment in my hand, turned away. It contained a full and free remission of punishment, and permission to return immediately to Palmyra.
I told him that if Palmyra was destined ever to assert its supremacy and independence of Rome, it could not be for many years to come, and then by watching for some favorable juncture in the affairs of Rome in other parts of the world.
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