He said upon setting out, 'We will go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning me shall be accomplished.' "Our waiting draws to an end.
"In haste.
"Peace to thee, Simonides.
"BEN-HUR." Esther returned the letter to her father, while a choking sensation gathered in her throat.

There was not a word in the missive for her--not even in the salutation had she a share--and it would have been so easy to have written "and to thine, peace." For the first time in her life she felt the smart of a jealous sting.
"The eighth day," said Simonides, "the eighth day; and this, Esther, this is the--" "The ninth," she replied.
"Ah, then, they may be in Bethany now." "And possibly we may see him to-night," she added, pleased into momentary forgetfulness.
"It may be, it may be! To-morrow is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and he may wish to celebrate it; so may the Nazarene; and we may see him--we may see both of them, Esther." At this point the servant appeared with the wine and water.
Esther helped her father, and in the midst of the service Iras came upon the roof.
To the Jewess the Egyptian never appeared so very, very beautiful as at that moment.

Her gauzy garments fluttered about her like a little cloud of mist; her forehead, neck, and arms glittered with the massive jewelry so affected by her people.

Her countenance was suffused with pleasure.

She moved with buoyant steps, and self-conscious, though without affectation.