Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 17
“Pilatehasweakened.HeisgoingtocrucifyHim.Butthereistime.Yourownmenareready.Ridewiththem.OnlyacenturionandahandfulofsoldiersarewithHim.Theyhavenotyetstarted.Assoonastheydostart,follow.TheymustnotreachGolgotha.Butwaituntiltheyareoutsidethecitywall.Thencountermandtheorder.TakeanextrahorseforHimtoride.Therestiseasy.RideawayintoSyriawithHim,orintoIdumæa,oranywheresolongasHebesaved.”
Sheconcludedwithherarmsaroundmyneck,herfaceupturnedtomineandtemptinglyclose,hereyesgreatlysolemnandgreatlypromising.
SmallwonderIwasslowofspeech.Forthemomenttherewasbutonethoughtinmybrain.AfterallthestrangeplayIhadseenplayedout,tohavethiscomeuponme!Ididnotmisunderstand.Thethingwasclear.Agreatwomanwasmineif...ifIbetrayedRome.ForPilatewasgovernor,hisorderhadgoneforth;andhisvoicewasthevoiceofRome.
AsIhavesaid,itwasthewomanofher,hersheerwomanliness,thatbetrayedMiriamandmeintheend.Alwaysshehadbeensoclear,soreasonable,socertainofherselfandme,sothatIhadforgotten,or,rather,Itherelearnedonceagaintheeternallessonlearnedinalllives,thatwomaniseverwoman...thatingreatdecisivemomentswomandoesnotreasonbutfeels;thatthelastsanctuaryandinnermostpulsetoconductisinwoman’sheartandnotinwoman’shead.
