s I can prevent it. Your life is not yet
forfeited. By the immortal gods, it will be long before you take your
place in the arena."

"No one can save me when once I am taken. You might try your utmost.
What could you do to save one on whom the emperor's wrath is falling?"

"I might do much to avert it. You do not know what might be done. But
even if I could do nothing, still I would not listen to this proposal now."

"If I went to the emperor himself he would grant my prayer."

"He would take you prisoner at once and put both of you to death."

"I could send a messenger with my proposal."

"The message would never reach him; or at least not until it would be
too late."

"There is then no hope?" said Marcellus mournfully.

"None."

"And you absolutely refuse to grant my request?"

"Alas, Marcellus, how can I be guilty of the death of my friend? You
have no mercy on me. Forgive me if I refuse so unreasonable a proposal."

"The will of the Lord be done," said Marcellus. "I must hasten back.
Alas! how can I carry with me this message of despair?"

The two friends embraced in silence, and Marcellus departed, leaving
Lucullus overcome with amazement at this proposal.

Marcellus returned to the Catacombs in safety. The brethren there who
knew of his errand received him again with mournful joy. The lady
Caecilia still lay in a kind of stupor, only half conscious of
surrounding events. At times her mind would wander, and in her delirium
she would talk of happy scenes in her early life.

But the life which she had led in the Catacombs, the alternating hope
and fear, joy and sorrow, the ever present anxiety, and the oppressive
air of the place itself, had overcome both mind and body. Her delicate
nature sank beneath the fury of such an ordeal, and this last heavy blow
completed her prostration. She could not rally from its effects.

That night they watched around her couch. Every hour she grew feebler,
and life was slowly but surely passing away. From that descent unto
death not even the restoration of her son could have saved her.

But though earthly thoughts had left her and earthly feelings had grown
faint, the one master passion of her later years held undiminished power
over her. Her lips murmured still the sacred words which had so long
been her support and consolation. The name of her darling boy was
breathed from her lips though his present danger was forgotten; but it
was the blessed name of Jesus that w