It would be sweet to kill the Roman, but if he himself were laid dead across his body, leaving Miriam alive to pass to some other man, what would he be advantaged?
Presently they must cease from their endearments; presently his enemy would return as he had come, and then he might find his chance.

He would wait, he would wait.
Look, they had parted; Miriam was gliding back to the house, and Marcus came towards him, walking like a man in his sleep.

Only Nehushta stood where she was, her eyes fixed upon the ground as though she were reasoning with herself.

Still like a man in a dream, Marcus passed him within touch of his outstretched hand.

Caleb followed.