t and left as a keeper among wild beasts.

Overawed by his authority they fell back, and soldiers approached.

Lucullus gave Marcellus in charge to them, and led the company out of
the amphitheater.

Outside he took charge of the prisoner himself. The soldiers followed them.

"Alas, Marcellus! was it well to throw away your life?"

"I spoke from the impulse of the moment. That dear boy whom I loved died
before my eyes! I could not restrain myself. Yet I do not repent. I,
too, am ready to lay down my life for my King and my God."

"I cannot reason with you. You are beyond the reach of argument."

"I did not intend to betray myself, but since it is done I am content.
Nay, I am glad, and I rejoice that it is my lot to suffer for my Redeemer."

"Alas, my friend! Have you no regard for life?"

"I love my Saviour better than life."

"See, Marcellus, the road before us is open. You can run quickly. Fly
and be saved."

Lucullus spoke this in a hurried whisper.

The soldiers were some twenty paces behind. The chances were all in
favor of escape. Marcellus pressed the hand of his friend.

"No, Lucullus. I would not gain life by your dishonor. I love the warm
heart that prompted it, but you shall not be led into difficulty by your
friendship for me."

Lucullus sighed, and walked on in silence.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE TEMPTATION.

"All this will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me."

That night Lucullus remained in the cell with his friend. He sought by
every possible argument to shake his resolution. He appealed to every
motive that commonly influences men. He left no means of persuasion unused.

All in vain. The faith of Marcellus was too firmly fixed. It was founded
on the Rock of Ages, and neither the storm of violent threats nor the
more tender influences of friendship could weaken his determination.

"No," said he, "my course is taken and my choice is made. Come weal,
come woe, I must follow it out to the end. I know all that is before me.
I have weighed all the consequences of my action, but in spite of all I
will continue as I have begun."

"It is but a small thing that I ask," said Lucullus. "I do not wish you
to give up this religion forever, but only for the present. A terrible
persecution is now raging, and before its fury all must fall, whether
young or old, high or low. You have seen that no class or age is
respected. Pollio would have been saved if it had been possible. There