His eyes rested
coldly on the face of his client, while the unfortunate Greek continued
to speak rapidly of his troubles and hopes. He smiled sarcastically as
Gregorio spoke of the certainty of making his fortune at Benhur, and
remained quite unmoved at the story of the sufferings of a woman and
child from hunger and want.
"Your wife is beautiful," was all he answered when Gregorio paused for
a moment. At these words, however, he half rose from his place and
clinched his hands savagely. But he sank back again with the remembrance
that a show of temper would not advance his cause.
"Very beautiful," he answered, chokingly; "would you see her starve?"
"She is not my wife," said Amos, quietly. Then he continued slowly,
pausing at intervals to puff out a cloud of smoke from his mouth:
"You have owed me this money a long time. I want it, and I will have it.
Even in Egypt there is law. You do not like us Jews, but the law will
protect me as long as I am rich enough to buy justice. In three days
you will pay me this money. I have been generous to you; now I will be
generous no longer.
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