Sometimes also, with the help of masons and the master who had taught her, now a very old man, she copied these models in marble, which the Essenes brought to her from the ruins of a palace near Jericho.

At the time that the Romans came she was finishing a work more ambitious than any which she had undertaken as yet; namely, a life-sized bust cut from the fragment of an ancient column to the likeness of her great-uncle, Ithiel.

On the afternoon following the day that she met Marcus, clad in her white working-robe, she was occupied in polishing this bust, with the assistance of Nehushta, who handed her the cloths and grinding-powder.

Suddenly shadows fell upon her, and turning, she beheld Ithiel and the Roman.
"Daughter," said Ithiel, smiling at her confusion, "I have brought the captain Marcus to see your work." "Oh, my uncle!" she replied indignantly, "am I in a state to receive any captain ?" and she held out her wet hands and pointed to her garments begrimed with clay and powder.

"Look at me." "I look," said Ithiel innocently, "and see naught amiss." "And I look, lady," added Marcus in his merry voice, "and see much to admire.