If you refuse our conditions, she will vanish from your sight, and then, merchant, go, search the world, the coasts of Syria, the banks of Egypt, and the cities of Italy--and find her if you can.

We have spoken." Benoni stroked his white beard before he answered.
"You talk proudly," he said.

"Did I shut my eyes I might fancy that this voice was the voice of a Roman procurator speaking the decrees of Caesar.
Still, I am ready to believe that what you promise you can perform, since I for one am sure that you Essenes are not mere harmless heretics who worship angels and demons, see visions, prophesy things to come by the help of your familiars, and adore the sun in huts upon the desert." He paused, but the President, without taking the slightest notice of his insults or sarcasms, repeated merely: "We have spoken," and as with one voice, like some great echo, the whole hundred of them cried, "We have spoken!" "Do you hear them, master ?" said Nehushta in the silence that followed.
"Well, I know them.

They mean what they say, and you are right--what which they threaten they can perform." "Let my grandchild speak," said Benoni.

"Daughter, is it your wish that such dishonouring bonds should be laid upon me ?" "Grandsire," replied Miriam, in a pure, clear voice, "I may not quarrel with that which is done for my own good.