Again the finger of Divine retribution! The high priesthood, that had mocked at the Crucifixion, had itself become a subject for mockery, a thing of scorn. Somewhat to his surprise, Crispus discovered that Vespasian at the end of his day’s labor would sometimes find relaxation in listening to the discourses of Josephus upon Jewish history and Jewish philosophy. He chose to do so on this present occasion; and, accordingly, after the repast was over, a centurion was dispatched to bring in the captive. He came, linked as usual to the guardian soldier, and advanced with an air meant to be solemn and dignified, but which in Crispus’ view was pompous only; nay, contradictory as it may seem, beneath this air of importance there was lurking an undercurrent of obsequiousness and servility that set Crispus against him. If ever man was sycophant this man was! “We have sent for you,” began Vespasian, “to hear you discourse for a time upon the history and laws of your nation.” “Sire, thou honorest our holy books by wishing to derive instruction from them. But, to-night--to-night, I would speak, not of the past, but of the future.” “Of which he knows no more than you or I,” whispered Rufus to Crispus. “Sire, when the Almighty created the seventy nations of the earth he gave to each its peculiar gift; to the Roman, sovereignty in war, and to the Greek, supremacy in art; to the Egyptian, depth in wisdom, and to the Hebrew, the power of prophecy. To us are granted at times glimpses of the future, prevision denied to other races. Did I not show the knowledge of the seer by declaring that Jotapata would fall on the forty-seventh day of the siege? And now again do I lift the veil that hides the future. The God of our fathers hath revealed to me that great thing which shall come to pass.” He advanced a step, accompanied necessarily by the soldier; and, falling on his knees before Vespasian, he touched the ground with his forehead, saying, as he made this Oriental salutation: “HAIL, CÆSAR THAT IS TO BE!” As if a chasm had suddenly yawned at his feet, Vespasian started back in an amazement so obviously genuine as to show plainly that this treasonable notion was being sprung upon him for the first time. Crispus shared in Vespasian’s amazement, as did most of the other officers present. Titus was the only one that showed no surprise; one might have thought that he had been expecting something of this kind; he sat with his eyes keenly attentive to his father’s face. Crispus could not help thinking that this little tableau was not a spontaneous ebullition on the part of Josephus, but a premeditated piece of acting, primarily due to the scheming brain of Berenice, and seconded by the ambitious hopes of Titus. The deep silence was broken by the voice of Vespasian, who spoke with stern indignation. “No more of this. Thou talkest treason--treason to the reigning emperor.” Titus’ face became clouded.