Herodias | Page 7

the costume of the Roman ladies, with a
flowing tunic and a peplum ornamented with tassels of emeralds; and
blue silken bands confined her hair, which seemed almost too luxuriant,
since from time to time she raised a small hand to push back the heavy
masses. The parasol half hid the maiden from the gaze of Antipas, but
now and then he caught a glimpse of her delicate neck, her large eyes,
or a fleeting smile upon her small mouth. He noted that her figure
swayed about with a singularly elastic grace and elegance. He leaned
forward, his eyes kindled, his breath quickened. All this was not lost
upon Herodias, who watched him narrowly.
"Who is that maiden?" the tetrarch asked at last.
Herodias replied that she did not know, and her fierce demeanour
suddenly changed to one of gentleness and amiability.
At the entrance to the castle the tetrarch was awaited by several
Galileans, the master of the scribes, the chief of the land stewards, the
manager of the salt mines, and a Jew from Babylon, commanding his
troops of horse. As the tetrarch approached the group, he was greeted

with respectful enthusiasm. Acknowledging the acclamations with a
grave salute, he entered the castle.
As he proceeded along one of the corridors, Phanuel suddenly sprang
from a corner and intercepted him.
"What! Art thou still here?" said the tetrarch in displeasure. "Thou
seekest Iaokanann, no doubt."
"And thyself, my lord. I have something of great importance to tell
thee."
At a sign from Antipas, the Essene followed him into a somewhat dark
and gloomy room.
The daylight came faintly through a grated window. The walls were of
a deep shade of crimson, so dark as to look almost black. At one end of
the room stood an ebony bed, ornamented with bands of leather. A
shield of gold, hanging at the head of the bed, shone like a sun in the
obscurity of the apartment. Antipas crossed over to the couch and threw
himself upon it in a half-reclining attitude, while Phanuel remained
standing before him. Suddenly he raised one hand, and striking a
commanding attitude said:
"At times, my lord, the Most High sends a message to the people
through one of His sons. Iaokanann is one of these. If thou oppress him,
thou shalt be punished!"
"But it is he that persecutes me!" exclaimed Antipas. "He asked me to
do a thing that was impossible. Since then he has done nothing but
revile me. And I was not severe with him when he began his abuse of
me. But he had the hardihood to send various men from Machaerus to
spread dissension and discontent throughout my domain. A curse upon
him! Since he attacks me, I shall defend myself."
"Without doubt, he has expressed his anger with too much violence,"
Phanuel replied calmly. "But do not heed that further. He must be set
free."

"One does not let loose a furious animal," said the tetrarch.
"Have no fear of him now," was the quick reply. "He will go straight to
the Arabs, the Gauls, and the Scythians. His work must be extended to
the uttermost ends of the earth."
For a moment Antipas appeared lost in thought, as one who sees a
vision. Then he said:
"His power over men is indeed great. In spite of myself, I admire him!"
"Then set him free!"
But the tetrarch shook his head. He feared Herodias, Mannaeus, and
unknown dangers.
Phanuel tried to persuade him, promising, as a guaranty of the honesty
of his projects, the submission of the Essenians to the King. These poor
people, clad only in linen, untameable in spite of severe treatment,
endowed with the power to divine the future by reading the stars, had
succeeded in commanding a certain degree of respect.
"What is the important matter thou wouldst communicate to me?"
Antipas inquired, with sudden recollection.
Before Phanuel could reply, a Negro entered the room in great haste.
He was covered with dust, and panted so violently that he could
scarcely utter the single word:
"Vitellus!"
"Has he arrived?" asked the tetrarch.
"I have seen him, my lord. Within three hours he will be here."
Throughout the palace, doors were opening and closing and portieres
were swaying as if in a high wind, with the coming and going of many
persons; there was a murmur of voices; sounds of the moving of heavy
furniture could be heard, and the rattle of silver plates and dishes. From

the highest tower a loud blast upon a conch summoned from far and
near all the slaves belonging to the castle.

CHAPTER II
The ramparts were thronged with people when at last Vitellius entered
the castle gates, leaning on the arm of his interpreter. Behind them
came an imposing red