Do you believe me ?" Benoni looked up at the man who stood before him in his youth and beauty, his eyes on fire and his form quivering with rage, and looking, shrank back a little.

He did not know that this light-hearted Roman had such strength and purpose at command.

Now he understood for the first time that he was a true son of the terrible race of conquerors, who, if he were crossed, could be as merciless as the worst of them, one whose very honesty and openness made him to be feared the more.
"I understand that you believe what you say.

Whether when you are back at Rome, where there are women as fair as the Queen of the Essenes, you will continue to believe it, is another matter." "Yes, a matter for me to settle." "Quite so--for you to settle.

Have you anything to add to the commands you are pleased to lay upon your humble creditor, Benoni the merchant ?" "Yes, two things.