Costobarus broke in by beckoning his wife to one side, where the
servants could not hear him say compassionately,

"Let there be no delay for small things, Hannah. Let us haste, for
Laodice is going on the Lord's business."

"A matter of a day only," Hannah urged. "A delay that is further
necessary, for Aquila's horse is lame."

The old man shook his head and looked away to see a man-servant
stagger out under a load of splendid carpets. The old woman came
close.

"The wayside is ambushed and the wilderness is patrolled with danger,
Costobarus," she said. "Of a certainty you will not take Laodice out
into a country perilous for caravans and armies!"

"These very perils are the signs of the call of the hour," he
maintained. "She dare not fail to respond. The Deliverer cometh; every
prophecy is fulfilled. Rather rejoice that you have prepared your
daughter for this great use. Be glad that you have borne her."

But in Hannah's face wavered signs of another interpretation of these
things. She broke in on him without the patience to wait until he had
completed his sentence.

"Are they prophecies of hope which are fulfilled, or the words of the
prophet of despair?" she insisted. "What saith Daniel of this hour?
Did he not name it the abomination of desolation? Said he not that the