"But wherefore this?" Drusilla doubted. "Also wherefore that?" "Real reason, or pretended, wilt thou have?" Said Simon with his air of oracle. "Both," said Drusilla shortly, answering him. "Well, the pretended reason," Simon said, "To Peter, was hot zeal for righteousness. Seems Ananias and Sapphira lied; A venial lie, they set a little short The price they had received for certain lands Or other property sold by them late In the behoof of Peter and his crew. Peter would none of that; the revenues To be extorted from his dupes would shrink With such prevarications once in vogue: There hast thou the real reason for his crime. "As for this last case, Paul's, I can but guess What his pretended reason was. Indeed Perhaps pretended reason there was none. It may be he preferred to have it seem, To all except his special followers, A case of sudden death from natural cause. Or again, likelier, he alleged some crime Against her, sacrilege or blasphemy, Secret, thence lacking proof but capable Of being proved upon her by his art. He would pronounce a spell of magic power, Then let her talk and try to clear herself: Meanwhile, if she were guilty as he thought, The spell would work and punish her with death, But remain harmless were she innocent. Guesses, but plausible; still it would be Sufficiently like Paul if he devised A blank mere demonstration for the sake Of those outside spectators of the scene, Simply in order to impress on them His power in magic, and win their applause. It would at the same time inspire with awe Those dupes of his, and faster bind their bonds. Yet a particular reason intermixed Doubtless with general motives for his crime; Some insubordination, it may be, On Mary Magdalené's part toward him, Had stung him to inflict this punishment." "What of it all?" Drusilla coldly said. "Nothing," said Simon; "just a pretty tale! Only I thought it might perhaps subserve Lady Drusilla's purpose yonder at Rome, To have a crime convenient to her hand, A fresh crime, and a flagrant, she could charge To Paul's account to make more sure his doom."