d upon the breastplate
of our high-priest Princess, I have come to tell thee and Piso what none
in Rome besides, as I think, would care to know--and strange it is that
you Christians should be those whom I, a Jew, most love, and that I, an
old and worn-out man, should fill any space, were it no bigger than a
grain of wheat, in your regards--I have come to tell you what you have
already discovered, that Hagar is arrived with the young Ishmael, and
with them two dark-eyed daughters of Israel, who are as welcome as the
others. There is not now, Piso, within the walls of Rome a dwelling
happier than mine. Soon as leisure and inclination shall serve, come, if
you will do us such grace, to the street Janus, and behold our
contentment. Sorry am I that the times come laden to you with so many
terrors. Piso,' continued he, in a more earnest tone, and bending toward
me, 'rely upon the word of one who is rarely deceived, and who now tells
thee, there is a sword hanging over thy head! Fronto thirsts for thy
life, and thine, lady! and Aurelian, much as he may love you, is, as we
have already seen, not proof against the violent zeal of the priest.
Come to the street Janus, and I will warrant you safety and life. There
is none for you here--nor in Rome--if Aurelian's hounds can scent you.'

We were again obliged to state, with all the force we could give to
them, the reasons which bound us to remain, not only in Rome, but in our
own dwelling, and await whatever the times might bring forth. He was
again slow to be convinced, so earnestly does he desire our safety. But
at length he was persuaded that he himself would take the same course
were he called upon to defend the religion of his fathers. He then
departed, having first exacted a promise that we would soon see his new
family.

Soon as Isaac was gone I sought the streets.

Rome, Fausta, has put on the appearance of the Saturnalia. Although no
license of destruction has yet been publicly given, the whole city is in
commotion--the lower orders noisy and turbulent, as if they had already
received their commission of death. Efforts have been made, both on the
part of the senate and that of the nobles who are not of that body,
joined by many of all classes, to arrest the Emperor in his murderous
career, but in vain. Not the Seven Hills are more firmly rooted in the
earth, than he in his purposes of blood. This is well known abroad; and
the people are the more emboldened in the course