THE RING, THE NECKLACE AND THE LETTER So Miriam came to Tyre, where, for many months, her life was peaceful and happy enough.

At first she had feared meeting Caleb, who she knew from her grandfather was dwelling there; but as it chanced, he had left the city upon business of his own, so for the while she was free of him.
In Tyre were many Christians with whom she made friends and worshipped, Benoni pretending to know nothing of the matter.

Indeed, at this time and place it was the Jews rather than the Christians who were in danger at the hands of the Syrians and Greeks, who hated them for their wealth and faith, threatening them continually with robbery and massacre.

But as yet that storm did not burst, and in its brewing the Christians, who were few, humble, and of all races, escaped notice.
Thus it came about that Miriam dwelt in quiet, occupying herself much with her art of modelling and going abroad but little, since it was scarcely safe for her, the grandchild of the rich Jew merchant, to show her face in the streets.

Though she was surrounded by every luxury, far more than she needed, indeed, this lack of liberty irked her who had been reared in the desert, till at times she grew melancholy and would sit for hours looking on the sea and thinking.