Esther, daughter of Simonides." Now, in all his thoughts of Simonides, not once had it entered Ben-Hur's mind that, by the law, a daughter followed the parent's condition.

In all his visions of her, the sweet-faced Esther had figured as the rival of the Egyptian, and an object of possible love.

He shrank from the revelation so suddenly brought him, and looked at her blushing; and, blushing, she dropped her eyes before him.

Then he said, while the papyrus rolled itself together, "A man with six hundred talents is indeed rich, and may do what he pleases; but, rarer than the money, more priceless than the property, is the mind which amassed the wealth, and the heart it could not corrupt when amassed.

O Simonides--and thou, fair Esther--fear not.