How is it thou knowest the kind intent by a word; and always makest answer gratefully, though the help offered is from a woman?
I will kiss thee, thou royal brute!"-- she stooped and touched its broad forehead with her lips, saying immediately, "because in thy intelligence there is no suspicion!" And Ben-Hur, restraining himself, said calmly, "The reproach has not failed its mark, O Egypt! I seem to say thee no; may it not be because I am under seal of honor, and by my silence cover the lives and fortunes of others ?" "May be!" she said, quickly.

"It is so." He shrank a step, and asked, his voice sharp with amazement, "What all knowest thou ?" She answered, after a laugh, "Why do men deny that the senses of women are sharper than theirs?
Your face has been under my eyes all day.

I had but to look at it to see you bore some weight in mind; and to find the weight, what had I to do more than recall your debates with my father?
Son of Hur!"-- she lowered her voice with singular dexterity, and, going nearer, spoke so her breath was warm upon his cheek--"son of Hur! he thou art going to find is to be King of the Jews, is he not ?" His heart beat fast and hard.
"A King of the Jews like Herod, only greater," she continued.
He looked away--into the night, up to the stars; then his eyes met hers, and lingered there; and her breath was on his lips, so near was she.
"Since morning," she said, further, "we have been having visions.
Now if I tell you mine, will you serve me as well?
What! silent still ?" She pushed his hand away, and turned as if to go; but he caught her, and said, eagerly, "Stay--stay and speak!" She went back, and with her hand upon his shoulder, leaned against him; and he put his arm around her, and drew her close, very close; and in the caress was the promise she asked.
"Speak, and tell me thy visions, O Egypt, dear Egypt! A prophet--nay, not the Tishbite, not even the Lawgiver--could have refused an asking of thine.

I am at thy will.

Be merciful--merciful, I pray." The entreaty passed apparently unheard, for looking up and nestling in his embrace, she said, slowly, "The vision which followed me was of magnificent war--war on land and sea--with clashing of arms and rush of armies, as if Caesar and Pompey were come again, and Octavius and Antony.