He is happier this evening than when he went out in the morning." Ben-Hur would not trust a servant to inform Iras what had befallen her father.

He went himself to see her and bring her to the body.
He imagined her grief; she would now be alone in the world; it was a time to forgive and pity her.

He remembered he had not asked why she was not of the party in the morning, or where she was; he remembered he had not thought of her; and, from shame, he was ready to make any amends, the more so as he was about to plunge her into such acute grief.
He shook the curtains of her door; and though he heard the ringing of the little bells echoing within, he had no response; he called her name, and again he called--still no answer.

He drew the curtain aside and went into the room; she was not there.

He ascended hastily to the roof in search of her; nor was she there.