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As they whirled by, Esther saw Ben-Hur's face again, and it was whiter than before. Simonides, shrewder than Esther, said to Ilderim, the moment the rivals turned into the course, "I am no judge, good sheik, if Ben-Hur be not about to execute some design. His face hath that look." To which Ilderim answered, "Saw you how clean they were and fresh?
"The other love is but a memory; of which I will say further that, like a benison of the Lord, it hath a compass to contain a whole family, if only" his voice lowered and trembled "if only I knew where they were." Ben-Hur's face suffused, and, advancing a step, he cried, impulsively, "My mother and sister! Oh, it is of them you speak!"
Ben-Hur's face flushed at the prospect, though he said, "I see; but speak plainly. A deed to be done is one thing; how to do it is another." Simonides sipped the wine Esther brought him, and replied, "The sheik, and thou, my master, shall be principals, each with a part. I will remain here, carrying on as now, and watchful that the spring go not dry.
Only those who have been wanderers long desolate can know the power there was in the latter appeal. Let us add now, the world always cunning enough of itself; always whispering to the weak, Stay, take thine ease; always presenting the sunny side of life the world was in this instance helped by Ben-Hur's companion. "Were you ever at Rome?" he asked. "No," Esther replied. "Would you like to go?"
The wound, it should be observed, was to his vanity; and fortunately it is not often that people die of such hurts, or even continue a long time sick. In Ben-Hur's case, moreover, there was a compensation; for presently he exclaimed aloud, "Praised be the Lord God that the woman took not a more lasting hold on me! I see I did not love her."
"If thy mother and sister were dead, or not to be found, what wouldst thou do?" A distinct pallor overspread Ben-Hur's face, and he looked over the sea. There was a struggle with some strong feeling; when it was conquered, he turned to the tribune. "What pursuit would I follow?" he asked. "Yes." "Tribune, I will tell thee truly.
Next morning, about the second hour, two men rode full speed to the doors of Ben-Hur's tents, and dismounting, asked to see him. He was not yet risen, but gave directions for their admission. "Peace to you, brethren," he said, for they were of his Galileans, and trusted officers. "Will you be seated?" "Nay," the senior replied, bluntly, "to sit and be at ease is to let the Nazarene die.
And when at length he was completely recovered "My first lesson in the synagogue was the Shema; my next was the saying of the son of Sirach, 'Honor thy father with thy whole soul, and forget not the sorrows of thy mother." The red spots on Ben-Hur's face deepened. "The words bring my childhood back again; and, Malluch, they prove you a genuine Jew. I believe I can trust you."
With that he turned away, and gave attention to the servants, whose preparations for the supper were about complete. The reader who recollects the history of Balthasar as given by himself at the meeting in the desert will understand the effect of Ben-Hur's assertion of disinterestedness upon that worthy.
I did not think myself known to a person on earth. How came you by the knowledge?" Ilderim hesitated; but, rallying, he answered, "I know you, yet I am not free to tell you more." "Some one holds you in restraint?" The sheik closed his mouth, and walked away; but, observing Ben-Hur's disappointment, he came back, and said, "Let us say no more about the matter now.
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