Benoni retreated before them till he stood upon the edge of the gulf of advancing fire.

Then he turned round and faced them.

As he turned he caught sight of Miriam huddled at the base of her column upon the roof of the gate, and thinking that she was dead, wrung his hands and tore his beard.

She guessed his grief, but so weak and parched was she, that she could call no word of comfort to him, or do more than watch the end with fascinated eyes.
The soldiers came on along the top of the wall till they feared to approach nearer to the fire, lest they should fall through the burning rafters.
"Yield!" they cried.

"Yield, fool, before you perish! Titus gives you your life." "That he may drag me, an elder of Israel, in chains through the streets of Rome," answered the old Jew scornfully.