and Rome were all in all with him,
himself, nothing. How, citizens, can you wish to do him harm? or
anything that is his? And, even as a Christian--for which you reproach
him and now seek him--it is still the same. Believe me when I say, that
it is because of his love of you and Rome that he would make you all as
he is. He honestly thinks that it is the doctrine of Christ, which can
alone save Rome from the destruction which her crimes are drawing down
upon her. He has toiled from morning till night, all day and all
night--harder than he ever did upon his marches either in Africa or in
Asia--that you might be made to know what this religion of Christ is;
what it means; what it will bestow upon you if you will receive it; and
what it will save you from. And he would not scruple to lose his life,
if by so doing he could give any greater efficacy to the truth in which
he believes. I would he were here now, Romans, to plead his own cause
with you. I know you would so esteem his honesty, and his warm Roman
heart, that you would be more ready to serve than to injure him.'

Pity stood in some eyes, but impatience and anger in more.

'Be not so sure of that,' cried he who had spoken before. 'No true Roman
can love a Christian. Christians are the worst enemies of the state. As
for Macer, say no more of him; he is already done for. All you have to
do is to set open the door.'

'What say you of Macer?' cried the miserable girl, wringing her hands.
'Has any evil befallen him?'

'What he will never recover from,' retorted the barbarian. 'Varus has
just had him on one of his iron playthings, and his body we have but now
left in the street yonder. So hasten.'

'O worse than demons to kill so good a man,' cried AElia, the tears
rolling down her cheeks. 'But if he is dead, come and take us too. We
wish not now to live; and ready as he was to die for Christ, so ready
are we also. Cease your blows; and I will open the door.'

But her agency in that office was no longer needed. A huge timber had
been brought in the meantime from the ruins, and, plied by an hundred
hands with noisy uproar, the stone door soon gave way, just as AElia
descended and the murderous crew rushed in.

The work of death was in part quickly done. The sons of Macer, who, on
the uproar, had instantly joined their mother in spite of all the
entreaties of Demetrius, were at once despatched, and dragged forth by
ropes attached to their feet. The two youngest, trans