When fourteen days had passed since his departure for Samaria, the
caravan of Naaman again entered the gates of Damascus.
The little maid, learning of this, made haste to seek her mistress.
"Dear mistress," she said, "the caravan of my lord has entered the city
and proceedeth to the palace of Benhadad, the king."
Claudia turned very white.
"And--and what other tidings dost thou bring?" she faltered. "Speak,
child; keep me not in suspense."
"I bring no further tidings, my mistress," answered the little maid.
Claudia sank upon a couch, trembling and faint. Leah knelt beside her
and kissed her hands.
"Why dost thou tremble and grow pale, dear mistress," she asked. "I did
come to thee at once with the tidings of my lord's return, thinking
that thou wouldst rejoice and be happy."
"If I knew that he were healed then indeed would I rejoice," said
Claudia. "But if he be not healed my heart will be filled with sadness
and sad indeed our meeting."
"Be at peace, my lady," said the little maid, earnestly. "My lord has
returned healed of his leprosy."
"Thou hast indeed great faith, child," said Claudia, with a faint
smile. "But only when I hear from the lips of my husband that he is
healed will I believe. But, come and array me, for whether Naaman
return in sorrow or gladness I will do him honor."
The little maid hastened to put a rich silken robe upon her mistress,
binding back her golden hair with a circlet of glittering gems.
"Come," then said Claudia, "thou shalt await with me the coming of
Naaman."
Upon entering Damascus, Naaman had at once sought the palace of the
king.
The latter received him most graciously, saying:
"What fortune did attend thy journey into the land of Israel, my good
Naaman?"
"My lord, I return healed of my leprosy," replied Naaman.
"Thou cometh indeed with wonderful tidings," exclaimed the king.
"Marvelous is the power of this magician of the court of Jehoram. What
sayeth thy wife, the beautiful Claudia? great rejoicing must indeed be
hers."
"She as yet knows not that I have returned from Samaria," answered
Naaman. "I did first seek the presence of my king to make known to him
the wonders that have been done unto me."
"Ah," murmured Benhadad, "thou art ever faithful to thy country and thy
king."
The proud eyes of the Syrian wavered and fell under the king's kind
gaze.
"Ah," he was thinking, "the king knows not that I have forsaken the god
of my country for Jehovah Who ruleth over all the earth."
"I will detain thee no longer at present," said Benhadad. "Make haste
to the presence of thy wife with thy tidings of joy. Meanwhile the news
shall go abroad over all the land that Naaman has returned from Samaria
healed of his leprosy that all Syria may rejoice and offer sacrifice to
Rimmon. Say to thy wife that Benhadad rejoices with her that Naaman
has returned healed."
Naaman bent his head to kiss the hand of the king and then left the
palace. As the chariot passed through the streets of Damascus shouts of
rejoicing were heard upon every side; Benhadad had already sent forth
the tidings of the healing of Naaman.
Claudia, awaiting the coming of her husband, heard the shouts and cries
and turned very pale.
"What means those cries?" she asked of the little maid.
"My lord passes through the streets of Damascus and the people rejoices
that he is healed," answered Leah.
"Only when I hear from the lips of my husband that he be healed will I
believe," again said Claudia.
The servants of the palace then took up the joyous cries; Naaman had
passed through the gates.
A few moments more and the embroidered draperies were put aside and
Naaman stood upon the threshold of the great chamber. And as she looked
into his face Claudia knew how it was with him. She moved forward and
was folded to his breast. And the little maid, with tears in her eyes,
passed out of the chamber, leaving them alone.
After a little while, however, she was summoned to the presence of
Naaman. Claudia, her beautiful face all aglow with happiness, stood by
her husband's side.
"Maiden," said Naaman, "Elisha, whose great powers thou didst make
known to me, has healed me of my leprosy."
"My lord, my heart is indeed glad that thou hast returned healed of thy
leprosy," said the little maid.
"And thou, maiden, shall be rewarded," continued Naaman. "Ask of me
what thou wilt and it shall be granted unto thee."
The little maid fell upon her knees at his feet.
"O, my lord," she cried, "I would return to those who love me and
sorrow for me in the dear land of Israel. I crave of thee but one
thing, my lord--freedom."
"It is granted thee," said Naaman. "Thou art no more a slave."
The little maid caught his hand and covered it with kisses. Claudia
stooped and lifted her to her feet.
"It grieves me to part with thee, little one," she said. "But I shall
be glad that thou art happy with those whom thou dost love."
"I shall never forget thee nor cease to love thee," murmured Leah.
"Maiden, hast thou no further desire?" asked Naaman.
"What more could I desire, my lord, since thou hast given me my
freedom?" replied the little maid.
"Thou art poor," said Naaman. "Hast thou never craved riches?"
"Not for myself, my lord," answered Leah. "But I have often wished that
my parents were not forced to labor so hard."
"Thy parents shall labor no more," said Naaman, quietly.
"What meaneth thou, my lord?" murmured the little maid, bewilderedly.
"Listen to me, maiden," continued Naaman. "I did carry with me to
Samaria ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold and ten
changes of raiment with which to reward Elisha should he heal me of my
leprosy."
Leah smiled.
"And Elisha did refuse to accept the treasure which thou didst carry
with thee to Samaria," she said.
"Yes," replied Naaman, "but the treasure which Elisha did refuse shall
be thine."
[Illustration]