He continued, almost recklessly, now.
"Small wonder that he is so delinquent in the wilderness, with such square-shouldered righteousness awaiting him in town! Forgive him, lady, for his iniquities now, for he will be a good man after he reaches Jerusalem; by my soul, you may be sure he will be good!" Laodice gasped under the pressure of astonishment and indignation.

It was bad enough to be pictured thus unprepossessing, but to be suddenly made aware of her husband in a man whom she feared, was desperate.

She stared with frank and horrified eyes at her tormentor.
"But--but--" she stammered.
"True," he sighed.

"One can not know what calamity forces another into misdeeds.

Now were I my unfortunate friend, perhaps I should afflict you with my hunger for sweetness also." And that smooth, insinuating, violent pagan was Philadelphus Maccabaeus! But what had her father said of him, as a child?
"Quick in temper, resourceful, aye, even shifty, stubborn, cold in heart, hard to please!" And to this man she must present herself, late, penniless and unhelpful.