f all men failed in your duty out there in Jerusalem. Why, the thing
is absurd, as even those carpet-captains before whom you were tried knew
well. Still, your position is most awkward. There is evidence against
you--of a sort. Vespasian will not interfere, for he is aware that this
is some private matter of Domitian's, and having had one quarrel with
his son over the captive, Pearl-Maiden, he does not wish for another
over the man who bought her. No, he will say--this prefect was one of
the friends and officers of Titus, let Titus settle the affair as it may
please him when he returns."

"At least Titus will do me justice," said Marcus.

"Yes, without doubt, but what will that justice be? Titus issued an
edict. Have you ever known him to go back upon his edicts, even to save
a friend? Titus declared throughout his own camps those Romans who were
taken prisoner by the Jews to be worthy of death or disgrace, and two of
them, common men and cowards, have been publicly disgraced in the eyes
of Rome. You were taken prisoner by the Jews and have returned alive,
unfortunately for yourself, to incur the dislike of Domitian, who has
raked up a matter that otherwise never would have been mooted."

"Now," he says to Titus--"Show justice and no favour, as you showed in
the case of the captive Pearl-Maiden, whom you refused to the prayer
of your only brother, saying that she must be sold according to your
decree. Even if he loves you dearly, as I believe he does, what, my lord
Marcus, can Titus answer to that argument, especially as he also seeks
no further quarrel with Domitian?"

"You said you came to show me a way to safety--yet you tell me that my
feet are set in the path of disgrace and death. Must this way of yours,
then, be paved with gold?"

"No," answered Saturius drily, "with pearls. Oh! I will be plain. Give
up that necklace--and its wearer. What do you answer?"

Now Marcus understood, and a saying that he heard on the lips of Miriam
arose in his mind, though he knew not whence it came.

"I answer," he said with set face and flashing eyes, "that I will not
cast pearls before swine."

"A pretty message from a prisoner to his judge," replied the chamberlain
with a curious smile. "But have no fear, noble Marcus, it shall not
be delivered. I am not paid to tell my royal master the truth. Think
again."

"I have thought," answered Marcus. "I do not know where the maiden is
and therefore cannot deliver her to Domitian