The fruit was freshly gathered, and not to be refused; he stooped and took it, and as he did so a man in the tree by which they were halted cried, "Peace to you, and welcome!" Their thanks said to the children, the friends moved on at such gait as the animals chose.
"You must know," Malluch continued, pausing now and then to dispose of a date, "that the merchant Simonides gives me his confidence, and sometimes flatters me by taking me into council; and as I attend him at his house, I have made acquaintance with many of his friends, who, knowing my footing with the host, talk to him freely in my presence.

In that way I became somewhat intimate with Sheik Ilderim." For a moment Ben-Hur's attention wandered.

Before his mind's eye there arose the image, pure, gentle, and appealing, of Esther, the merchant's daughter.

Her dark eyes bright with the peculiar Jewish lustre met his in modest gaze; he heard her step as when she approached him with the wine, and her voice as she tendered him the cup; and he acknowledged to himself again all the sympathy she manifested for him, and manifested so plainly that words were unnecessary, and so sweetly that words would have been but a detraction.

The vision was exceeding pleasant, but upon his turning to Malluch, it flew away.
"A few weeks ago," said Malluch, continuing, "the old Arab called on Simonides, and found me present.