So Felix in a half unconscious sort Heard Paul's words then hollow and meaningless; Only rebounded from them to the doubt, The hateful haunting doubt, of what lay hid Within the horizon of this present world For him; deaf, since that day of final doom, To Sinai thundering from the world to come! Two witnesses had witnessed that which passed Thus between Paul and Felix: secret one, Eavesdropper from behind a hanging nigh, Felix's jealous and suspicious spouse Drusilla; one in open view, and frank, Observant while obtrusive not, well-poised In sense of self-effacing loyalty, Young Stephen, shadow of his uncle Paul. He, as of course, fulfilling duty, went Wherever his illustrious kinsman went, If aught of peril to him, or need, could there By watchful love be guessed. Paul now by Stephen Attended from that alien presence forth, Drusilla from her hiding burst, and cried: "A Jewish mother's curse fast cling to Paul, False, renegade Jew, who has his cursing hand Folded on little Felix's this day! Heed Simon, and beware of Paul. O, why, Why didst thou, couldst thou, think of summoning him, Hated of all his nation so, to blight The hope and fortune of our shaken house With creeping leper's plague upon our boy; Or perhaps other mischief worse than that! O, Felix! Felix! O, my lord, my lord!" Such woman's wailing and upbraiding broke All the man's force in Felix to withstand. He joined his imprecations upon Paul And swore her ready oaths to work him woe. Then as the pair conspired in vengeful vows Against him, mutually to each other pledged, "With that young cub of his too," Felix said, "Fair-favored as he is, a meddlesome lad, Following his greybeard uncle round about With spaniel looks and watch-dog carefulness; And our friend Sergius Paulus, understood!" Simon made good his threat of getting well, And fostered and fomented all he could The viperous hatch of hatred against Paul. Stephen reported to his company The incident and the spirit of the scene Beheld by him enacted between Paul And Felix; and all knew full well the dark Presage of consequence for Paul it bore.