"The moon is at its full," they said, with truth, "and this cannot be an eclipse." Then, as no one could answer the question common with them all--as no one could account for the darkness, or for its occurrence at that particular time, in their secret hearts they associated it with the Nazarene, and yielded to an alarm which the long continuance of the phenomenon steadily increased.

In their place behind the soldiers, they noted every word and motion of the Nazarene, and hung with fear upon his sighs, and talked in whispers.

The man might be the Messiah, and then-- But they would wait and see! In the meantime Ben-Hur was not once visited by the old spirit.
The perfect peace abode with him.

He prayed simply that the end might be hastened.

He knew the condition of Simonides' mind--that he was hesitating on the verge of belief.