"
"Maybe, but would that avail me? The rule, a good rule, is that no Roman
soldier should yield to an enemy. If he is captured while insensible,
then on finding his wits he must slay himself, as I should have striven
to do, had I awakened to find myself in the hands of the Jews. But
things fell out otherwise. Still, I tell you, Nehushta, that had it not
been for Miriam, I should not have turned my face to Rome, at any rate
until I had received pardon and permission from Titus."
"What then are your plans, lord Marcus?"
"To go to my own house near the Baths of Agrippa. The Triumph must pass
there, and if Miriam is among the captives we shall see her. If not,
then either she is dead or already sold, or perchance given as a present
to some friend of Caesar's."
Now they ceased talking, for the people were so many that they could
only force their way through the press riding one after the other. Thus,
Nehushta following Marcus, they crossed the Tiber and passed through
many streets, decorated, most of them, for the coming pageant, till at
length Marcus drew rein in front of a marble mansion in the Via Agrippa.
"A strange home-coming," he muttered. "Follow me," and he rode round the
house to a side-entrance.
Pages:
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432