CHAPTER III.
"Iras, the daughter of Balthasar, sends me with salutation and a message," said a servant to Ben-Hur, who was taking his ease in the tent.
"Give me the message." "Would it please you to accompany her upon the lake ?" "I will carry the answer myself.

Tell her so." His shoes were brought him, and in a few minutes Ben-Hur sallied out to find the fair Egyptian.

The shadow of the mountains was creeping over the Orchard of Palms in advance of night.

Afar through the trees came the tinkling of sheep bells, the lowing of cattle, and the voices of the herdsmen bringing their charges home.

Life at the Orchard, it should be remembered, was in all respects as pastoral as life on the scantier meadows of the desert.
Sheik Ilderim had witnessed the exercises of the afternoon, being a repetition of those of the morning; after which he had gone to the city in answer to the invitation of Simonides; he might return in the night; but, considering the immensity of the field to be talked over with his friend, it was hardly possible.