Then the Maccabee, using subterfuge to give him opportunity to escape the vigilant eyes of the Ephesian, suddenly clapped his hand to his hip, exclaiming that he had left his weapon at the camp.
Before Julian's sneer reached him, he mounted quickly and rode up the hill, meaning to offer his horse to the girl.
The bed of coals still glowed cheerily, but the shelter of sheepskins, the old servant and the girl in the tissue of woven moonbeams were gone.
He stood still, vexed, disappointed and resentful.
"The old incubus has made her go on, purposely, to get rid of me!" he decided finally.

"Perpol! He won't!".