Chapter 2

Antipas smiled a little reminiscently. Feeling himself to be presently in need of mercy, he thought it opportune to put in a defensive word for his elder brother. Herod, noting that the Prince wanted to speak, paused to listen.

‘Archelaus was indeed over-reaching himself, sire; but is it so unthinkable that he should be made regent of Judaea? He is the heir to this throne, is he not?’

‘That,’ snapped Herod, ‘is none of your business! We are just now about to come to your business!’

And so—after this considerable delay—they had come to the Prince’s business, and a bad business it was, too. Antipas, had he the normal instinct of a six-year-old waif, would have known, declared the King, what a dangerous position he had accepted when he consented to be the son-in-law of an Arabian King.

Antipas feebly protested that the honour had been forced upon him, but Herod wasn’t entertaining any mitigating circumstances.

‘You have treated this Arabian girl shamefully! What a fool you are—to think that these savages in Arabia who, for all their uncouth manners, have their pride, would let you heap indignities upon the only child of their King! Now you have it to settle for—and in full, mind you. I have had word from Aretas. His message is brief but clear. His daughter is to be brought home to Arabia!’

Antipas raised his head and brightened perceptibly. He drew a long, comforting sigh. His father, observing his relief, rose from his chair and stabbed a finger in the air.

‘Mind you’—he shouted—’the Princess is to be taken home to Arabia; not sent home. And you, Your Brightness, will accompany her. Aretas insists upon that. His much cherished daughter, he says, has suffered enough at the hands of this court. She is not to be returned like some article of rejected merchandise! Those were his words. Her husband is to bring her home in a manner befitting their station, and show her the honours she—and her countrymen—have a right to expect.’

‘But’—spluttered Antipas—’why does he want me to play this farce? He probably despises me.’

‘Indeed he does!’ yelled Herod. ‘And not probably! And why shouldn’t he?’

‘They will kill me if I appear over there,’ muttered Antipas.

‘They will kill you if you don’t!’

‘How long must I stay?’

‘Until you have fully restored Arnon’s damaged pride; until you have satisfied Aretas and his Council that you respect their Princess as your wife.’

There was a long silence.