am told her tale. When it was done, Julia said:

"Heathen though he is, this Marcus must be a noble-hearted man, whom may
Heaven reward."

"Yes," answered Miriam with a sigh, "may Heaven reward him, as I wish I
might."

"As you would have done had I not stayed you," put in Nehushta. Her
voice was severe, but as she spoke something that Julia took to be a
smile was seen for an instant on her grim features.

"Well, friend, well," said Julia, "we have all of us fallen into
temptation from time to time."

"Pardon me, lady," answered Nehushta, "but speak for yourself. I never
fell into any temptation--from a man. I know too much of men."

"Then, friend," replied Julia, "return thanks for the good armour of
your wisdom. For my part, I say that, like the lord Marcus, this maid
has acted well, and my prayer is that she also may not lose her reward."

"Mine is," commented Nehushta, "that Marcus may escape the payment which
he will doubtless receive from the hand of Domitian if he can hunt him
out," a remark at which the face of Miriam grew very troubled.

Just then Gallus returned, and to him the whole history had to be told
anew.

"It is wonderful," he said, "wonderful! I never heard the like of it.
Two people who love each other and who, when their hour comes, separate
over some question of faith, or rather in obedience to a command laid
upon one of them by a lady who died years and years ago. Wonderful--and
I hope wise, though had I been the man concerned I should have taken
another counsel."

"What counsel, husband?" asked Julia.

"Well--to get away from Rome with the lady as far as possible, and
without more delay than was necessary. It seems to me that under the
circumstances it would have been best for her to consider her scruples
in another land. You see Domitian is not a Christian any more than
Marcus is, and our maid here does not like Domitian and does like
Marcus. No, it is no good arguing the thing is done, but I think that
you Christians might very well add two new saints to your calendar. And
now to breakfast, which we all need after so much night duty."

So they went and ate, but during that meal Gallus was very silent, as
was his custom when he set his brain to work. Presently he asked:

"Tell me, Miriam, did any see you or your companion enter here?"

"No, I think not," she answered, "for as it chanced the door of the
courtyard was ajar and the servant has not yet returned."

"Good," he said.