I believe that you are misled. The robbers, in my opinion, must not be looked for there. I am in a fairly good position to know the band, seeing that, for five or six days, it has been gathered near my house. I have even had the pleasure--for everything turns to pleasure at my age--I have even had the pleasure of attending one of their meetings. It was near the old road to Jericho. The leader was speaking in the midst of a crowd covered with dust and rags, among whom I observed a large number of rather repulsive cripples and sick. They seem extremely ignorant and exalted. They are poor and dirty, but I believe them to be harmless and incapable of stealing more than a cup of water or an ear of wheat.... They were listening greedily to a more or less silly anecdote, the story of a son who returns to his father after squandering his patrimony.... I did not hear the end, for they looked upon me with a certain suspicion.... But the Galilean, or the Nazarene, as they call him here, is rather curious; and his voice is of a penetrating and peculiar sweetness.... He appears to be the son of a carpenter.... I will tell you more of him, I know many interesting things about him; but permit me first to go to the other side of the house, which commands the road, to see if my belated guests are not in sight.... (_He GOES OUT on the left_.) SCENE III MARY MAGDALENE, VERUS VERUS I was not prepared for the joy of seeing you again, of your own consent, after your cruel words. They deprived me even of the hope that is sometimes left to those whom one would drive to despair.... MARY MAGDALENE I was stupid and foolish; but reason has returned; and I now know that the best love is not worth a tear.... VERUS Inasmuch as it is hardly the best, nor even a good love, as soon as it causes tears to be shed.... MARY MAGDALENE There is no more best or worst love for me. Until lately, I lived among falsehoods by which others profited; for the past six months, I have lived among truths by which I myself profit. VERUS What do you mean?... MARY MAGDALENE That I sell myself more skilfully and dearer than before. VERUS Magdalene!... You slander yourself!... MARY MAGDALENE You would see, if your desire prompted you to try your fortune, that, on the contrary, I rate myself very highly. VERUS You will always rate yourself less highly than I do. You will not succeed in degrading yourself in my eyes; and I see in what you say no more than the just rebellion of a deeply wounded soul struggling against pain.... MARY MAGDALENE You are wrong: it is not a soul struggling, but one that is finding itself. VERUS I do not believe a word of it. However, I would rather spite or hatred gave you to me than lose you for the noblest of reasons; and, as it is a question only of rating you very highly, know, Magdalene, that from this moment you are mine.... MARY MAGDALENE