ris. "And I would I had not spoken
with thee. After all, what doth it matter? There is always the end, when
darkness comes and the wax is wiped clean."

"Is there?" said Nicanor. "Is there an end to anything upon the earth?"

"Now thou art foolish," said Chloris. Her eyes were unchanged, but her
voice was angry. "In truth there is an end, and the end is--death." She
spoke with the deep-rooted and universal distaste of all Romans to the
direct reference to death. "Must not all things be gathered to the
shades? And is not that the end of them?"

"Believe it, then, for so long as thou canst, for thou wilt be the
happier for believing," said Nicanor. "And if some day it come to pass
that thou dost believe differently, remember then what others have
found, that only love can save thee--the love which thou hast never
known. Were it not wise, O Chloris, to seek it while yet there may be
time?" He paused, and his eyes forgot her. "I am seeking now," he said
below his breath, and turned away from her into the crowd.

Chloris looked after him a moment with lids half dropped over her
changeless eyes.

"The breath of the gods hath breathed upon him, and he understands. Oh,
ay! he understands." She laughed, a silver tinkle which was not wholly
mirth. "Will it ever come to pass that Chloris, the greatly loving, will
rejoice to know that there is one who pities her? We shall see!"

But meanwhile affairs had changed on Thorney, even during the moments of
Nicanor's speech with Chloris. The throng upon the beach, no longer
orderly, was heaving with excitement. The Saxons, spreading in all
directions to search for their prisoner, were in no mood to care what
offence they gave. They plucked brands from the fire, using them as
torches, and started for the village, while men and women retreated
before them, not knowing how far trouble might ensue. But before they
reached the village, a body of militarii, hastily summoned, came forth
from between the houses to meet them. The officer commanding them sprang
upon a pile of lumber, shouting to the Saxons, who halted, as it were
irresolute.

"While ye remain in this province it is right that ye should obey its
laws! If this Roman whom ye have taken hath committed crime against your
laws or ours, let him be tried by these laws. Otherwise will we not give
him up to you. He is a freeborn Roman, and is not to be done away with
as a slave. If ye make oath to grant him trial, we will deliver him