Moreover, she was a lovely maid, who, wherever she had been placed, would have bound all to her.
The years went by and the time came when, in obedience to the first decree, Miriam must be educated.

Long were the discussions which ensued among the curators of the Essenes.

At length three of the most learned of their body were appointed to this task, and the teaching began.

As it chanced, Miriam proved an apt pupil, for her memory was good, and she had a great desire to learn many things, more especially history and languages, and all that has to do with nature.

One of her tutors was an Egyptian, who, brought up in the priests' college at Thebes, when on a journey to Judaea had fallen sick near Jericho, been nursed by the Essenes and converted to their doctrine.