"Why your honour?"
"Because those who have been taken prisoner by the enemy and escaped are
held to be cowards among the Romans," he answered bitterly, "and it may
be that such a lot awaits me."
"Coward! You a coward, Marcus?"
"Aye. When it is known that I live, that is what my enemies will call me
who lived on for your sake, Miriam--for the sake of a woman who denies
me."
"Oh!" she said, "this is bitter. Now I remember and understand what
Gallus meant."
"Then will you still deny me? Must I suffer thus in vain? Think, had it
not been for you I could have stayed afar until the thing was forgotten,
that is, if I still chose to live; but now, because of you, things are
thus, and yet, Miriam--you deny me," and he put his arms about her and
drew her to his breast.
She did not struggle, she had no strength, only she wrung her hands and
sobbed, saying:
"What shall I do? Woe is me, what shall I do?"
"Do?" said the voice of Nehushta, speaking clear as a clarion from the
shadows. "Do your duty, girl, and leave the rest to Heaven."
"Silence, accursed woman!" gasped Marcus, turning pale with anger.
"Nay," she answered, "I will not be silent. Listen, Roman; I like you
well, as you have reason to know, seeing that it was I who nursed you
back to life, when for one hour's want of care you must have died.
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