ave Peter and Linus; but Vinicius said to them, "Come with me;
my lands are your lands, my houses your houses." At this Lygia inclined
to kiss his hand, in sign of obedience, and said,--

"Where thou art, Caius, there am I, Caia."

Then confused that she had spoken words which by Roman custom were
repeated only at marriage, she blushed deeply, and stood in the light
of the fire, with drooping head, in doubt lest he might take them ill of
her. But in his face boundless homage alone was depicted. He turned then
to Peter, and continued,--

"Rome is burning at command of Caesar. In Antium he complained that
he had never seen a great fire. And if he has not hesitated at such a
crime, think what may happen yet. Who knows that he may not bring in
troops, and command a slaughter? Who knows what proscriptions may come;
who knows whether after the fire, civil war, murder, and famine may not
come?

"Hide yourselves, therefore, and let us hide Lygia. There ye can wait
till the storm passes, and when it is over return to sow your grain
anew."

Outside, from the direction of the Vatican Field, as if to confirm his
fears, distant cries were heard full of rage and terror. At that moment
the quarryman entered, the master of the hut, and, shutting the door
hastily, he cried,--

"People are killing one another near the Circus of Nero. Slaves and
gladiators have attacked the citizens."

"Do ye hear?" said Vinicius.

"The measure is full," said the Apostle; "and disasters will come, like
a boundless sea." Then he turned, and, pointing to Lygia, said, "Take
the maiden, whom God has predestined to thee, and save her, and let
Linus, who is sick, and Ursus go with you."

But Vinicius, who had come to love the Apostle with all the power of his
impetuous soul, exclaimed: "I swear, my teacher, that I will not leave
thee here to destruction."

"The Lord bless thee for thy wish," answered Peter; "but hast thou not
heard that Christ repeated thrice on the lake to me, 'Feed my lambs'?"

Vinicius was silent.

"If thou, to whom no one has confided care over me, sayest that thou
wilt not leave me to destruction, how canst thou wish me to leave my
flock in the day of disaster? When there was a storm on the lake, and we
were terrified in heart, He did not desert us; why should I, a servant,
not follow my Master's example?"

Then Linus raised his emaciated face and inquired,--

"O viceregent of the Lord, why should I not follow thy example