"What wilt thou do?" she asked.
"The streets can offer me no more insult than is offered me in this
house," she said slowly.
It was in her mind that there were certainly unprotected gates at
which she could get out of the city and return to Ascalon.
At least the peril for her in this house was already too imminent for
her to remain longer. She continued to Amaryllis:
"Lady, you have been kind to me--in your way. You have been so in the
face of your doubt that I am what I claim to be. How happy, then, you
would have made my lot had I not been supplanted and denied! For all
this I thank you. Mine would be a poor gratitude if I stay to make you
regret your generosity. Wherefore I will go."
She slipped past the three and entered her room. Before Amaryllis
could gather resolution to protest, she was out again, clothed in
mantle and vitta and, walking swiftly, disappeared into the vestibule.
As they sat in the darkening hall, the three heard the doors close
behind her.
"She will return," said Philadelphus coolly, moving away.
Gathering her robes about her, Salome swept out of the corridor and
away. Amaryllis stood alone.
Somewhere out in the city was Hesper the Ephesian. Amaryllis knew that
Laodice would not return.
Chapter XVII
THE TANGLED WEB
Meanwhile Jerusalem was in the fury of barbarous warfare.
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