"
At this tidings Miriam broke down and began to weep.
"Dry your tears, girl," he said roughly, although the thickness of his
voice suggested that water and his own eyes were not far apart. "What
must be, must be, and now is the time for that God you worship to show
you some mark of favour. Surely, He should do so, seeing how long and
how often you pray to Him in burrows that a jackal would turn from."
"I think He will," answered Miriam, ceasing her sobs with a bold
up-lifting of her soul towards the light of perfect faith.
"I am sure He will," added Julia, gently stroking Miriam's dark and
curling hair.
"Then," broke in Gallus, driving the point to its logical conclusion,
"what have you to fear? A long, hot walk through the shouting populace,
who will do no harm to one so lovely, and after that, whatever good fate
your God may choose for you. Come, let us eat, that you may look your
best when you appear before the Caesars."
"I would rather look my worst," said Miriam, bethinking her of Domitian
and his bleared eyes. Still, to please Gallus, she tried to eat, and
afterwards, accompanied by him and by Julia, was carried in a closed
litter to the palace.
Too soon she was there, arriving a little before them, and was helped
from the litter by slaves wearing the Imperial livery.
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