Laodice, stunned, amazed and shaken, stood still. The stock of her troubles amounted to a sum of such magnitude that she could not grasp it clearly. The entire structure which her life training and all her purposes, the hope of her house and her husband's, the future of Judea and the King to come, had constituted, had been attacked and threatened to crumble and be swept away in a few hours' time. Out of the wreck she rescued one hope. Momus would return from the west with proofs in a few days' time--only a few days! Chapter XI THE HOUSE OF OFFENSE On his way to the oaken door that was for ever double-barred, in that small hall which led to the apartments of Amaryllis' corps of artists, Philadelphus met Salome, the actress. He would have passed her without a word, but the woman, armed with the nettle of a small triumph over the man who held her in contempt, could not forbear piercing him as he passed. "Hieing away to excite your disappointment further?" she said. "Has the forlorn lady convinced you, yet, that she is indeed your wife?" "Had I that two hundred talents, I would confess her!" he declared. "Cruel obstacle! But that two hundred talents is locked away safely, out of your reach. Why do you not run away with this pretty creature?" Philadelphus glowered at her. "I have been known to make way with those who stood in my way," he declared. "I sleep with my door locked," she answered, "and I ever face you. I need never be afraid, therefore." For a moment he was silent, while she sensed that overweening hate and menace which charged the air about him. "It is not all as it should be," he said finally. "You are not rid of me. I shall stay." "You should," she responded comfortably. "You are a show of domesticity which lends color to our claim of wedded state. But you may go or stay. As usual, you are not essential." "I have been known to be superfluous. However it may be, I get much pleasure in the companionship of this lovely creature, the single flaw in the fine fabric of your villainy. Do not fear her convincing me. She might convince others." There was no response; after a silence he said as he moved on: "I shall warn her to feed a morsel of her food to the parrots ere she tastes it, however." He was gone. The woman felt of the keys that swung under the folds of her robes. Then she, too, went on. The oaken door was still fast closed when Philadelphus reached it, but he knew that the girl, who lived within, came out to walk in the sunshine of Amaryllis' court at certain hours while the household was engaged within doors. He had not long to wait. She came out in a little while, and glanced up and down the hall; but he had heard the turn of the bolt and had stepped into shadow in time. Reassured that no one was near, she emerged and passing down the hall entered the court. And there presently he joined her. He sat down on one of the stone seats and smiled at her. "Do I appear excited?" he asked.