But for this, as yet her mind was not strong enough, for there rose up in it vision after vision of blood and fire, which crushed and overwhelmed her.

All that went before the siege was clear, the rest one red confusion.
While she sat thus the Roman captain hobbled from his pavilion, resting on a crutch, for his leg was still lame and shrivelled.

First he went to Miriam's tent to inquire after her of the old woman, as was his custom at the daybreak, then, learning that she had gone out of it, looked round for her.

Presently he perceived her sitting in the shade of the rock gazing at the sea, and followed to join her.
"Good morning to you, daughter," he said.

"How have you slept after your long journey ?" and paused, expecting to be answered with some babbling, gentle nonsense such as flowed from Miriam's lips in her illness.