What other question she might have asked was interrupted by Agrippa, who, having mastered the contents of the epistle, was frowning terribly. He called his sister to his side and handed her the letter. She knit her brows as she read, and in turn passed the missive to Simeon, who, after duly perusing it, seemed to be more angry than his royal patrons. They were quiet for a time, all thinking. “Submit not to this demand,” said Berenice passionately, addressing her brother, “since submission will be quoted as a precedent; we shall be virtually acknowledging his right to make such claim. One oppression will lead to another.” “True, but on the other hand,” returned Agrippa, “if he should seek to make good his demand by force of arms ’twill lead to tumult and bloodshed--nay, even to open rebellion, for at this present time the popular mind is strung to a high state of tension by prophets who predict the near advent of the Messiah’s kingdom.” Turning to Rufus he said aloud: “You know the contents of this letter?” “Indeed, no. I was told no more than to press for an immediate answer.” “I will defer my reply till to-night.” Rufus bowed and withdrew. “I am the cause of this,” said Berenice sorrowfully. “You, princess! How?” exclaimed Simeon. “This is Florus’ way of taking vengeance upon me because I have declined to listen to his wooing.” CHAPTER VIII WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ROYAL SYNAGOGUE The heat of noontide had passed, and Crispus, under the guidance of Rufus, was spending his time in viewing the city. It might be thought that the Temple would be the first place visited by him, but this Rufus reserved for the night, when, by virtue of his office as commandant of Antonia, he would be able to exhibit that edifice--or as much of it as was permissible for a Gentile to see--by the tender light of the moon, and freed from the crowds that frequented its courts during the day. “And what place is that?” asked Crispus, pointing to a quadrangular edifice of white stone, over whose portal was written in Hebrew characters the word “_Shalom_,” or “Peace.” “The Royal Synagogue, so called,” answered Rufus, necessity here compelling him to break a certain injunction he had laid upon himself, “so called as having been raised by the Princess Berenice at her own private expense. Among the Jews, if you would gain a character for piety, build a synagogue.” “Is the worship going on?” The proximity of a sun-dial enabled Rufus to give an answer. “It is a little before the ninth hour, which constitutes the _Arabith_, or time of evening prayer. Worship will begin shortly. You see the pious are already hurrying thither.” “I have never yet seen a synagogue service,” said Crispus, “and would fain see one.”