y. In Asia Minor, under the good governor Pliny. Simon the son
of Cleophas was crucified at that time."

"Perhaps Trajan did not know any better."

"He might have known better, though. Ignorance is no plea that will
stand, when people have the means of knowledge. But come on. Here is
Marcus Aurelius; here, Rupert, Nos. 37 and 38. He was what the world
calls a very great man. He was cultivated, and wise, and strong, a
great governor, and for a heathen a good man; and how he treated the
Christians! East and west, and at Rome here itself, how they were
sought out and tortured and killed! What do you think the Lord thinks
of such a great man as that? Remember the Bible says of His people, 'He
that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of His eye.' What do you think
the Lord thought of Marcus Aurelius' greatness? Look here, Rupert--here
is Decius, and here is Diocletian."

"Were they persecutors too?"

"Great. It is so strange to look at their faces here, in this museum,
after so many centuries. I suppose they will stand here, maybe, till
the end of the world. Come away--we have been so long in this gallery
we have not left time enough for the other rooms."

They went to the Hall of the Gladiator; and there Dolly studied the
figure which gives name to the place, with a kind of rapt intensity.
She described to her companion the meaning of the marble; but it was
not the same thing to them both. Dolly was lost in delighted
contemplation. Rupert looked on with a kind of incredulous scorn.

"You don't care for it?" she said suddenly, catching a sight of his
face.

"What's it good for?" said Rupert. "This ain't a likeness of anybody,
is it?"

"It is a likeness of a great many people. Hundreds and hundreds died in
such fashion as that, for the pleasure of the Roman people."

"Well, would it have been any satisfaction to you to see it?"

"Why, no! I hope not."

"Then why do you like to see it here now?"

"I don't! this is not reality, but an image."

"I can't see why you should like to look at the image, when you
couldn't bear the reality."

"Why, Rupert"---- Dolly began, but her further words were cut off.

"Met again!" said a soft voice. "You here! we did not know you would be
in Rome so soon."

"Dolly!" exclaimed Christina, who followed her mother. "That's
delightful. Dolly Copley in Rome! and in the Museo Capitolino. Who is
with you?"

"We are all here," said Dolly, smiling.

"Yes, yes, in Rome, of course; but