His jaw had fallen.

Theophilus the Essene was at peace.
Another hour went by.

Once more the door was opened and there appeared that captain who had ordered her to be killed.

With him were two Jews.
"Come, woman," he said, "to take your trial." "Who is to try me ?" Miriam asked.
"The Sanhedrim, or as much as is left of it," he answered.

"Stir now, we have no time for talking." So Miriam rose and accompanied them across the corner of the vast court, in the centre of which the Temple rose in all its glittering majesty.
As she walked she noticed that the pavement was dotted with corpses, and that from the cloisters without went up flames and smoke.