But would the man acknowledge the relation?
That would be to give up his riches and the sovereignty of trade so royally witnessed on the wharf and river.

And what was of still greater consequence to the merchant, it would be to forego his career in the midst of amazing success, and yield himself voluntarily once more a slave.

Simple thought of the demand seemed a monstrous audacity.
Stripped of diplomatic address, it was to say, You are my slave; give me all you have, and--yourself.
Yet Ben-Hur derived strength for the interview from faith in his rights and the hope uppermost in his heart.

If the story to which he was yielding were true, Simonides belonged to him, with all he had.
For the wealth, be it said in justice, he cared nothing.

When he started to the door determined in mind, it was with a promise to himself--"Let him tell me of mother and Tirzah, and I will give him his freedom without account." He passed boldly into the house.
The interior was that of a vast depot where, in ordered spaces, and under careful arrangement, goods of every kind were heaped and pent.