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CHAPTER XXVII
THE BISHOP CYRIL
On the morning following the day of the Triumph Julia, the wife of
Gallus, was seated in her bed-chamber looking out at the yellow waters
of the Tiber that ran almost beneath its window. She had risen at dawn
and attended to the affairs of her household, and now retired to rest
and pray. Mingled with the Roman crowd on the yesterday she had seen
Miriam, whom she loved, marching wearily through the streets of Rome.
Then, able to bear no more, she went home, leaving Gallus to follow the
last acts of the drama. About nine o'clock that night he joined her and
told her the story of the sale of Miriam for a vast sum of money, since,
standing in the shadow beyond the light of the torches, he had been a
witness of the scene at the slave-market. Domitian had been outbid, and
their Pearl-Maiden was knocked down to an old woman with a basket on
her back who looked like a witch, after which she vanished with her
purchaser. That was all he knew for certain. Julia thought it little
enough, and reproached her husband for his stupidity in not learning
more. Still, although she seemed to be vexed, at heart she rejoiced.
Into whoever's hand the maid had fallen, for a while at least she had
escaped the vile Domitian.
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