Barabbas by Marie Corelli--Delphi Classics (Illustrated) by Marie Corelli

Author:Marie Corelli [CORELLI, MARIE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Parts Edition 7 of 32 by Delphi Classics
Publisher: Delphi Classics (Parts Edition)
Published: 2017-09-19T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XXVI.

PILATE rose slowly up and confronted him, Justitia at his side. He was now perfectly calm, and his pale features assumed a cold and repellent dignity. “Whom callest thou traitor, thou subject of Rome?” he said—” Knowest thou not that though thou art highpriest of the Jewish faith, thou art answerable to Cæsar for insult to his officer?”

Caiaphas stood breathless and trembling with rage.

“Thou also art answerable to Cæsar if thou dost lend thyself to low imposture!” he said—” Dost thou not remember that this vile deceiver out of Galilee who hath been crucified, did say ‘After three days I will rise again’? And do I not find thee giving audience to one of His known followers who oft hath entertained Him and listened to His doctrines? This counsellor” — and he emphasised the term sarcastically, eyeing the unmoved and stately figure of Joseph of Arimathea up and down angrily—” now seeks His body to bury it in a sepulchre, whereof he only hath the seal and secret. And why doth he offer this free service? That he may steal the corpse in the silence of the second night, and make away with it, and then give out a rumour that the Christ is risen! So shall the hist error be worst than the first with the silly multitude, if his scheme be not prevented.” Joseph lifted his clear grave eyes and looked full at the speaker.

“I heed not thy wicked accusation, Caiaphas,” he said tranquilly—” Thou knowest it is false, and born from out the fury and suspicion of thy mind. Thy fears do make a coward of thee, — perchance when thou didst find the veil of the Temple rent in the midst this day, and knewest by inquiry that so it had been torn at the very moment of the passing of the soul of the ‘Nazarene,’ thou wert shaken with strange terrors that still do haunt and trouble thee. Rally thyself and be ashamed, — for none shall steal the body I have claimed from Pilate, — rest for the dead is granted even by the most unmerciful, and this rest is mine to give to one who, whether human or divine, was innocent of sin and died through treachery undeservedly.”

The blood rushed to the high-priest’s brows, and he clenched his hands in an effort to keep down his rising wrath.

“Hearest thou that, Pilate?” he exclaimed—” Sufferest thou this insolence?”

“What insolence?” asked Justitia, suddenly—”’Tis true the Man of Nazareth had no fault in Him at all and that ye slew Him out of fear!”

Caiaphas glared at her, his cold eyes sparkling with rage.

“I argue not with women!” he said through his set teeth—” They are not in our counsels, nor have they any right to judgment.”

Justitia smiled. Her full black eyes met his piercing shallow ones with such immeasurable scorn as made him for the moment tremble. Avoiding her glance, he addressed himself once more to Pilate —

“Hear me, thou governor of Judæa under Cæsar”

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