Judith did not answer. When the Phœnician returned with the shawl, and drew it around her shoulders, she thanked him faintly; she would not even have noticed how beautiful it was, if it had not been for Sarah. The last birds were singing before night; the sky shone with the blue of evening. Far off beyond the hills lay the great ocean, wide as the world, with its sails, like orange moons, blowing home from barbarous lands. And over it, terrace on terrace, the queenly city with its laughing festivals, its temples, its sacred pools.... She closed her eyes ... such beauty, such dignity to life, so much to see and hear of; her young heart, dry with curiosity, filled like a pool with longing and despair; her pure and ignorant mind gave itself up in abandon to excitement, to happiness, to festivals with music, to syrup on the terraces as the sun went down ... to ships and wonder.... “Oh, how I should like to be a merchant,” she cried. Hiram of Tyre bent his dark head humbly upon her hand. XII With a heavy heart Jonah climbed the hill to the garden. He wore his old coat, and his face was weary and gloomy. He had come to say to Judith, “We cannot be married because I am poor, and cannot get anything to do.” But as he drew near the garden, he forgot what he had come to say, and thought only of seeing her again. When he came to the tree under which he had sat with her, Hiram, who was walking with a satisfied air among the flowers, said to him, “You, there, are you one of the servants? “Well, just be so good as to bring me a bowl for these roses.” “I am not a servant,” said Jonah proudly. “No?” said Hiram. “Then what are you? Are you interested in horses?” “I am a prophet,” said Jonah. Hiram made a small bow. “Forgive me,” he said. “In my country the prophets are dressed a little differently, because they have priestly connections. However, it is interesting to meet other kinds of prophets. It is an interesting profession. Well ... what a pleasant day it is. Perhaps you would do me the favor to prophesy me something.” Jonah stared at him angrily. “I have some business with the Lady Judith,” he declared. “She is in the house,” said Hiram. And the two men stood looking at each other with surprise and alarm. Hiram went to fetch her. She came slowly, with downcast eyes, and cheeks as white as her own lilies. “How do you do, Jonah,” she said. At the sight of her, Jonah felt his heart beating through his body, and a strange sweet sorrow rose up in his eyes. He wanted to say to her, “This is like coming home. I have been so unhappy, but you will comfort me. Because you love me, you will feel my sorrow. How sweet it is to have such a secret together.” “How do you do, Judith,” he said; “I have been away.” “Yes,” she said. And they stood without speaking, and without looking at each other. “Well, did you have a good time?” she asked finally.