and he promises me the joys
of heaven if I only forgive him who stole my wife from me. He is
forgiven-yes, all is forgiven him, and may everything that he undertakes
turn to good; yea, and nothing turn to evil--only feel how my heart
throbs, it is rallying its strength once more before it utterly ceases
to beat. When it is all over repeat to Hermas everything that I have
told you, and bless him a thousand, thousand times in my name and his
mother's; but never, never tell him that in an hour of weakness she
ran away with that villain--that man, that miserable man I mean--whom
I forgive. Give Hermas this ring, and with it the letter that you will
find under the dry herbs on the couch in my cave; they will secure him a
reception from his uncle, who will also procure him a place in the army,
for my brother is in high favor with Caesar. Only listen how Agapitus
urges on our men; they are fighting bravely there; that is the Roman
tuba. Attend to me--the maniple will occupy the castle and shoot down
on the heathen from hence; when they come carry me into the tower. I am
weak and would fain collect my thoughts, and pray once more that I may
find strength to forgive the man not with my lips only."

"Down there see--there come the Romans," cried Paulus interrupting him.
"Here, up here!" he called down to the men, "The steps are more to the
left."

"Here we are," answered a sharp voice. "You stay there, you people, on
that projection of rock, and keep your eye on the castle. If any danger
threatens call me with the trumpet. I will climb up, and from the top of
the tower there I can see where the dogs come from."

During this speech Stephanus had looked down and listened; when a
few minutes later the Gaul reached the wall and called out to the men
inside, "Is there no one there who will give me a hand?" he turned to
Paulus, saying, "Lift me up and support me--quick!"

With an agility that astonished the Alexandrian, Stephanus stood upon
his feet, leaned over the wall towards the centurion--who had climbed
as far as the outer foot of it, looked him in the face with eager
attention, shuddered violently, and repressing his feelings with the
utmost effort offered him his lean hand to help him.

"Servianus!" cried the centurion, who was greatly shocked by such
a meeting and in such a place, and who, struggling painfully for
composure, stared first at the old man and then at Paulus.

Not one of the three succeeded in uttering a wor