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At last he retired to the apartments assigned to him； accompanied by
the priests。 Without touching directly upon the question of the
coveted offices of public sacrificers； each one laid his own
grievances before the proconsul。 They fairly beset him with complaints
and requests； but he soon dismissed them from his presence。
As Jonathas left the proconsul's apartments he perceived Antipas
standing under an arch； talking to an Essene； who wore a long white
robe and flowing locks。 Jonathas regretted that he had raised his
voice in defence of the tetrarch。
One thought now consoled Herod…Antipas。 He was no longer personally
responsible for the fate of Iaokanann。 The Romans had assumed that
charge。 What a relief！ He had noticed Phanuel pacing slowly through
the court； and calling him to his side； he pointed put the guards
established by Vitellius； saying：
〃They are stronger than I！ I cannot now set the prisoner free！ It is
not my fault if he remains in his dungeon。〃
The courtyard was empty。 The slaves were sleeping。 The day was drawing
to a close； and the sunset spread a deep rosy glow over the horizon；
against which the smallest objects stood out like silhouettes。 Antipas
was able to distinguish the excavations of the salt…mines at the
farther end of the Dead Sea； but the tents of the Arabs were no longer
visible。 As the moon rose； the effect of the day's excitement passed
away； and a feeling of peace entered his heart。
Phanuel； also wearied by the recent agitating scenes； remained beside
the tetrarch。 He sat in silence for some time； his chin resting on his
breast。 At last he spoke in confidence to Antipas； and revealed what
he had wished to say。
From the beginning of the month； he said； he had been studying the
heavens every morning before daybreak； when the constellation of
Perseus was at the zenith； Agalah was scarcely visible； Algol was even
less bright； Mira…Cetus had disappeared entirely； from all of which he
augured the death of some man of great importance； to occur that very
night in Machaerus。
Who was the man？ Vitellius was too closely guarded to be reached。 No
one would kill Iaokanann。
〃It is I！〃 thought the tetrarch。
It might be that the Arabs would return and make a successful attack
upon him。 Perhaps the proconsul would discover his relations with the
Parthians。 Several men whom Antipas had recognised as hired assassins
from Jerusalem； had escorted the priests in the train of the
proconsul； they all carried daggers concealed beneath their robes。 The
tetrarch had no doubt whatever of the exactness of Phanuel's skill in
astrology。
Suddenly he bethought him of Herodias。 He would consult her。 He hated
her； certainly； but she might give him courage； and besides； in spite
of his dislike； not all the bonds were yet broken of that sorcery
which once she had woven about him。
When he entered her chamber； he was met by the pungent odour of
cinnamon burning in a porphyry vase and the perfume of powders；
unguents； cloud…like gauzes and embroideries light as feathers； filled
the air with fragrance。
He did not speak of Phanuel's prophecy； nor of his own fear of the
Jews and the Arabs。 Herodias had already accused him of cowardice。 He
spoke only of the Romans； and complained that Vitellius had not
confided to him any of his military projects。 He said he supposed the
proconsul was the friend of Caligula； who often visited Agrippa； and
expressed a surmise that he himself might be exiled； or that perhaps
his throat would be cut。
Herodias； who now treated him with a kind of disdainful indulgence；
tried to reassure him。 At last she took from a small casket a curious
medallion； ornamented with a profile of Tiberius。 The sight of it； she
said； as she gave it to Antipas； would make the lictors turn pale and
silence all accusing voices。
Antipas； filled with gratitude； asked her how the medallion had come
into her possession。
〃It was given to me；〃 was her only answer。
At that moment Antipas beheld a bare arm slipping through a portiere
hanging in front of him。 It was the arm of a youthful woman； as
graceful in outline as if carved from ivory by Polyclitus。 With a
movement a little awkward and at the same time charming； it felt about
the wall an instant； as if seeking something； then took down a tunic
hanging upon a hook near the doorway； and disappeared。
An elderly female attendant passed quietly through the room； lifted
the portiere； and went out。 A sudden recollection pierced the memory
of the tetrarch。
〃Is that woman one of thy slaves？〃 he asked。
〃What matters that to thee？〃 was the disdainful reply。
CHAPTER III
The great banqueting…hall was filled with guests。 This apartment had
three naves； like a basilica； which were separated by columns of
sandalwood； whose capitals were of sculptured bonze。 On each side of
the apartment was a gallery for spectators； and a third； with a facade
of gold filigree； was at one end； opposite an immense arch at the
other。
The candelabra burning on the tables； which were spread the whole
length of the banqueting…hall； glowed like clusters of flaming flowers
among the painted cups； the plates of shining copper； the cubes of
snow and heaps of luscious grapes。 Through the large windows the
guests could see lighted torches on the terraces of the neighbouring
houses； for this night Antipas was giving a feast to his friends； his
own people； and to anyone that presented himself at the castle。
The slaves； alert as dogs； glided about noiselessly in felt sandals；
carrying dishes to and fro。
The table of the proconsul was placed beneath the gilded balcony upon
a platform of sycamore wood。 Rich tapestries from Babylon were hung
about the pavilion； giving a certain effect of seclusion。
Upon three ivory couches； one facing the great hall； and the other two
placed one on either side of the pavilion； reclined Vitellius； his son
Aulus； and Antipas； the proconsul being near the door； at the left；
Aulus on the right； the tetrarch occupying the middle couch。
Antipas wore a heavy black mantle； the texture of which was almost
hidden by coloured embroideries and glittering decorations； his beard
was spread out like a fan； blue powder had been scattered over his
hair； and on his head rested a diadem covered with precious stones。
Vitellius still wore the purple band； the emblem of his rank； crossed
diagonally over a linen toga。
Aulus had tied behind his back the sleeves of his violet robe；
embroidered with silver。 His clustering curls were laid in carefully
arranged rows； a necklace of sapphires gleamed against his throat；
plump and white as that of a woman。 Crouched upon a rug near him； with
legs crossed was a pretty white boy； upon whose face shone a perpetual
smile。 Aulus had found him somewhere among the kitchens and had taken
a violent fancy to him。 He had made the child one of his suite； but as
he never could remember his protege's Chaldean name； called him simply
〃the Asiatic。〃 From time to time the little fellow sprang up and
played about the dining…table； and his antics appeared to amuse the
guests。
At one side of the tetrarch's pavilion were the tables at which were
seated his priests and officers； also a number of persons from
Jerusalem； and the more important men from the Grecian cities。 At the
table on the left of the proconsul sat Marcellus with the publicans；
several friends of the tetrarch； and various representatives from
Cana； Ptolemais； and Jericho。 Seated at other tables were mountaineers
from Liban and many of the old soldiers of Herod's army； a dozen
Thracians； a Greek and two Germans； besides huntsmen and herdsmen； the
Sultan of Palmyra； and sailors from Eziongaber。 Before each guest was
placed a roll of soft bread； upon which to wipe the fingers。 As soon
as they were seated； hands were stretched out with the eagerness of a