"Fortune favours us, Nehushta," said the man in a strained voice. "At
least, we are in time for the Triumph, who might so easily have been
too late. Look, yonder they gather already by Octavian's Walks," and
he pointed to the companies of soldiers who hurried past them to the
meeting-place.
"Yes, yes, my lord Marcus, we are in time. There go the eagles and
here comes their prey," and in her turn Nehushta pointed to a guarded
litter--had they but known it, the very one that carried the beloved
woman whom they sought. "But whither now? Would you also march in the
train of Titus?"
"Nay, woman, it is too late. Also I know not what would be my welcome."
"Your welcome? Why, you were his friend, and Titus is faithful to his
friends."
"Aye, but perhaps not to those who have been taken prisoner by the
enemy. Towards the commencement of the siege that happened to a man I
knew. He was captured with a companion. The companion the Jews slew, but
as he was about to be beheaded upon the wall, this man slipped from the
hands of the executioner, and leaping from it escaped with little hurt.
Titus gave him his life, but dismissed him from his legion. Why should I
fare better?"
"That you were taken was no fault of yours, who were struck senseless
and overwhelmed.
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