At least she is in your charge, and therefore welcome to me,"
and stepping to where Miriam stood with bowed head she kissed her on the
forehead, saying aloud:
"I greet you, daughter, who are so sweet to see and in misfortune,"
adding beneath her breath, "in the Name you know."
Then Miriam was sure that she had fallen into the hands of a woman who
was a Christian, and was thankful in her heart, for while the Caesars sat
upon the Roman throne the Christians of every clime, rank and race were
one great family.
That evening, so soon as the darkness fell, they entered Rome by the
Appian Gate. Here they separated, Gallus leading his soldiers to convoy
the treasure to the safe keeping of that officer who was appointed to
receive it, and afterwards to the camp prepared for them, while Julia,
with Miriam and an escort of two men only, departed to her own home, a
small dwelling in a clean but narrow and crowded street that overhung
the Tiber between the Pons AElius and the Porta Flamina. At the door of
the house Julia dismissed the soldiers, saying:
"Go without fear, and take witness that I am bond for the safety of this
captive."
So the men went gladly enough, for they desired to rest after the toils
of their long journey, and the door of the house having been opened by
a servant and locked again behind them, Julia led Miriam across a little
court to the sitting-room that lay beyond.
Pages:
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395