And, by Isis! by all the gods of Egypt! I swear I tremble to think of you, so brave and generous, under the hand of the remorseless minister.

You have left a portion of your youth in the atria of the great capital; consider, as I do, what the Desert will be to you in contrast of life.

Oh, I give you pity--pity! And if you but do what I say, I will save you.

That, also, I swear, by our holy Isis!" Words of entreaty and prayer these, poured forth volubly and with earnestness and the mighty sanction of beauty.
"Almost--almost I believe you," Ben-Hur said, yet hesitatingly, and in a voice low and indistinct; for a doubt remained with him grumbling against the yielding tendency of the man--a good sturdy doubt, such a one as has saved many a life and fortune.
"The perfect life for a woman is to live in love; the greatest happiness for a man is the conquest of himself; and that, O prince, is what I have to ask of you." She spoke rapidly, and with animation; indeed, she had never appeared to him so fascinating.
"You had once a friend," she continued.

"It was in your boyhood.
There was a quarrel, and you and he became enemies.