well, Julia on her part said:

"Aye, I thank God," touching her breast with her fingers as she spoke
the words.

Presently the matron seemed to notice her, and, looking at her with a
doubtful eye, asked:

"How comes it, husband, that you are in charge of this captive Jewess,
if Jewess she be who is so fair?"

"By the orders of Titus Caesar, wife," he answered, "to whom she must
be delivered on his arrival. She was condemned to perish on the gate
Nicanor as a traitress to the Jews and a Nazarene."

Julia started and looked at the girl over her shoulder.

"Are you of that faith, daughter?" she asked in a changed voice,
crossing her hands upon her breast as though by chance.

"I am, mother," answered Miriam, repeating the sign.

"Well, well, husband," said Julia, "the maid's tale can wait. Whether
she was a traitress to the Jews, or a follower of Christus, is not our
affair. At least she is in your charge, and therefore welcome to me,"
and stepping to where Miriam stood with bowed head she kissed her on the
forehead, saying aloud:

"I greet you, daughter, who are so sweet to see and in misfortune,"
adding beneath her breath, "in the Name you know."

Then Miriam was sure that she had fallen into the hands of a woman who
was a Christian, and was thankful in her heart, for while the Caesars sat
upon the Roman throne the Christians of every clime, rank and race were
one great family.

That evening, so soon as the darkness fell, they entered Rome by the
Appian Gate. Here they separated, Gallus leading his soldiers to convoy
the treasure to the safe keeping of that officer who was appointed to
receive it, and afterwards to the camp prepared for them, while Julia,
with Miriam and an escort of two men only, departed to her own home, a
small dwelling in a clean but narrow and crowded street that overhung
the Tiber between the Pons AElius and the Porta Flamina. At the door of
the house Julia dismissed the soldiers, saying:

"Go without fear, and take witness that I am bond for the safety of this
captive."

So the men went gladly enough, for they desired to rest after the toils
of their long journey, and the door of the house having been opened by
a servant and locked again behind them, Julia led Miriam across a little
court to the sitting-room that lay beyond. Hanging lamps of bronze
burned in the room, and by their light Miriam saw that it was very clean
and well, though not richly, furnished.

"This is my own ho