Also upon giving his word that he would
attempt no escape, he was allowed to walk in the gardens between the
prison and the Temple, and to receive his friends at any hour of the
day. His first visitor was the chamberlain, Saturius, who began by
condoling with him over his misfortune and most undeserved position.
Marcus cut him short.
"Why am I here?" he asked.
"Because, most noble Marcus, you have been so unlucky as to incur the
displeasure of a very powerful man."
"Why does Domitian persecute me?" he asked again.
"How innocent are you soldiers!" said the chamberlain. "I will answer
your question by another. Why do you buy beautiful captives upon whom
royalty chances to have set its heart?"
Marcus thought a moment, then said, "Is there any way out of this
trouble?"
"My lord Marcus, I came to show you one. Nobody really believes that you
of all men failed in your duty out there in Jerusalem. Why, the thing
is absurd, as even those carpet-captains before whom you were tried knew
well. Still, your position is most awkward. There is evidence against
you--of a sort. Vespasian will not interfere, for he is aware that this
is some private matter of Domitian's, and having had one quarrel with
his son over the captive, Pearl-Maiden, he does not wish for another
over the man who bought her.
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