The ship
_Luna_ was laden and ready for sea; indeed, if the wind and weather
were favourable, she was to sail within a week. Gallus and Julia, having
wound up their affairs, had removed to Ostia, whither Miriam was to be
brought secretly on the night of the sailing of the _Luna_. Marcus was
now at heart a Christian, but as yet had refused to accept baptism. Thus
matters stood when Cyril visited the prison bringing with him Miriam's
farewell message to her lover. It was very short.
"Tell Marcus," she said, "that I go because he bids me, and that I know
not whether we shall meet again. Say that perhaps it is best that we
should not meet, since for reasons which he knows, even if he should
still wish it, we may not marry. Say that in life or death I am his, and
his only, and that until my last hour my thought and prayer will be for
him. May he be delivered from all those troubles which, as I fear, I
have brought upon him, through no will of mine. May he forgive me for
them and let my love and gratitude make some amends for all that I have
done amiss."
To this Marcus answered: "Tell Miriam that from my heart I thank her for
her message, and that my desire is that she should be gone from Rome so
soon as may be, since here danger dogs her steps.
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