"
"I will make inquiries," answered Cyril, "and speak with you further on
the matter. Indeed it is not necessary that you should give this money,
since such a ship and her cargo, if she comes there safely, should sell
at a great profit in the Eastern ports. Meanwhile have no fear; in the
protection of God and her brethren the maid is safe."
"I hope so," said Marcus devoutly. "Now, if you have the time to spare,
tell me of this God of whom you Christians speak so much but who seems
so far away from man."
"But who, in the words of the great apostle, my master, in truth is
not far from any one of us," answered Cyril. "Now hearken, and may your
heart be opened."
Then he began his labour of conversion, reasoning till the sun sank and
it was time for the prison gates to close.
"Come to me again," said Marcus as they parted, "I would hear more."
"Of Miriam or of my message?" asked Cyril with a smile.
"Of both," answered Marcus.
Four days went by before Cyril returned. They were heavy days for
Marcus, since on the morrow of the bishop's visit he had learned that
as Saturius had foretold, Vespasian refused to consider his case, saying
that it must abide the decision of Titus when he came back to Rome.
Pages:
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531