He is there now.

Standing in a door or on a hill-top, only this evening he saw the sun set one day nearer the time when he himself shall become the light of the world." Balthasar ceased, with his hand raised and finger pointing as if at Judea.

All the listeners, even the dull servants outside the divan, affected by his fervor, were startled as if by a majestic presence suddenly apparent within the tent.

Nor did the sensation die away at once: of those at the table, each sat awhile thinking.
The spell was finally broken by Ben-Hur.
"I see, good Balthasar," he said, "that thou hast been much and strangely favored.

I see, also, that thou art a wise man indeed.
It is not in my power to tell how grateful I am for the things thou hast told me.