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The sight of it in a way collected Julian's purposes. He knew that by some misadventure he had missed Aquila whom he had hoped to meet in Emmaus, bearing treasure stolen from the daughter of Costobarus. By this time, then, the Maccabee's emissary had doubtless arrived in Jerusalem the last possible point for the two conspirators to meet.
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."
"But Laodice is too young to have part in the conflict of nations, the business of Heaven and earth and the end of all things!" A courier strode into the hall and approached Costobarus, saw that he was engaged in conversation and stopped. The merchant noted him and withdrew to read the message which the man carried.
But will you enter that sure death for a woman you do not know?" "And for a fortune I have not possessed and for a kingdom that I never owned." "She will not be there! Old Costobarus is not so mired in folly as to send his daughter into the Pit to provide you with money to pay Charon."
Hannah, supported by the Tyrian's assurance of her rescue and protection, succeeded in urging Costobarus and Laodice not to delay for her to the peril of the thrice precious daughter. So with his house yet ringing with the first convulsion of terror Costobarus ordered his party with all haste to the camels.
Costobarus looked steadily at the perplexed countenance of Philip. "Seest thou how much I believe in this youth?" he asked. A shade of uneasiness crossed Philip's forehead. "Thou art no longer young, Costobarus," he said, "and disappointments go hard with us, at our age especially, especially." "I shall not be disappointed," Costobarus declared. The friendly Jew looked doubtful.
"That," said Philadelphus evenly, to the actress, "is Laodice, daughter of Costobarus." "I do not understand," the actress said disgustedly. "You are clumsy, Philadelphus, when you are playful. If this is all, I shall return to my chamber." She rose, but Laodice sprang into her path. "Hold!" she cried. "Philadelphus, hast thou accepted this woman without proofs?"
He stood where she had left him, with his head lowered, waiting at last a creature dependent on another's will. "Listen!" Amaryllis said. "I have been seeking you since midnight! Philadelphus' doubt was awakened in this woman. He questioned her, so minutely that she betrayed ignorance of many things she should have known had she been the real daughter of Costobarus.
Then the father's eyes wandered toward the figure of his daughter fended away from him by the pagan. The agony of her suffering and the agony of his distress for her bridged the space between them. And while they yearned toward each other in a silence that quivered with pain, the light darkened in Costobarus' eyes.
"How is it with you, Laodice?" he asked, faltering a little. "I am prepared, my father," she answered. "I commend your despatch. I would be gone within an hour." She bowed and Costobarus regarded her with growing wistfulness. At this last moment his love was to become his obstacle, his fear for his child his one cowardice. "Dost thou remember him?" he asked without preliminary.
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