CHAPTER XVIII
IN THE CITRON-HOUSE
Perpetua, at Ad Fines, was a prey to unrest. She was in alarm for thesafety of her mother, and she was disconcerted at having been smuggled offto the house of a man who was a stranger, though to him she owed her life.
The villa was in a lovely situation, with a wide outstretch of landscapebefore it to the Rhone, and beyond to the blue and cloudlike spurs of theAlps; and the garden was in the freshness of its first spring beauty. Butshe was in too great trouble to concern herself about scenery and flowers.Her thoughts turned incessantly to her mother. In the embarrassingsituation in which she was--and one that was liable to become far moreembarrassing--she needed the support and counsel of her mother.
Far rather would she have been in prison at Nemausus, awaiting a hearingbefore the magistrate, and perhaps condemnation to death, than be as atpresent in a charming country house, attended by obsequious servants,provided with every comfort, yet ignorant why she had been brought there,and what the trials were to which she would be subjected.
The weather had changed with a suddenness not infrequent in the province.The warm days were succeeded by some of raging wind and icy rains. Infact, the mistral had begun to blow. As the heated air rose from the stonyplains, its place was supplied by that which was cold from the snowysurfaces of the Alps, and the downrush was like that to which we nowadaysgive the term of blizzard. So violent is the blast on these occasions thatthe tillers of the soil have to hedge round their fields with funerealcypresses, to form a living screen against a wind that was said, orfabled, to have blown the cow out of one pasture into that of anotherfarmer, but which, without fable, was known to upset ricks and carry awaythe roofs of houses.
To a cloudless sky, traversed by a sun of almost summer brilliancy,succeeded a heaven dark, iron-gray, with whirling vapors that had nocontour, and which hung low, trailing their dripping skirts over theshivering landscape.
Trees clashed their boughs. The wood behind the villa roared like acataract. In the split ledges and prongs of limestone, among the box-bushes and junipers, the wind hissed and screamed. Birds fled for refugeto the eaves of houses or to holes in the cliffs. Cattle were broughtunder shelter. Sheep crouched dense packed on the lee side of a stonewall. The very ponds and lagoons were whipped and their surfaces flayed bythe blast. Stones were dislodged on the mountain slopes, and flung down;pebbles rolled along the plains, as though lashed forward by whips. Thepenetrating cold necessitated the closing of every shutter, and theheating of the hypocaust under the house. In towns, in the houses of thebetter classes, the windows were glazed with thin flakes of mica (_lapisspecularis_), a transparent stone brought from Spain and Cappadocia, butin the country this costly luxury was dispensed with, as the villas wereoccupied only in the heat of summer, when there was no need to exclude theair. The window openings were closed with shutters. Rooms were not warmedby fireplaces, with wood fires on hearths, but by an arrangement beneaththe mosaic and cement floor, where a furnace was kindled, and the smokeand heated air were carried by numerous pipes up the walls on all sides,thus producing a summer heat within when all was winter without.
In the fever of her mind, Perpetua neither felt the asperity of theweather nor noticed the comfort of the heated rooms. She was incessantlyrestless, was ever running to the window or the door, as often to bedisappointed, in anticipation of meeting her mother. She was perplexed asto the purpose for which she had been conveyed to Ad Fines. The slavewoman, Blanda, who attended her, was unable or unwilling to give herinformation. All she pretended to know was that orders had been issued byCallipodius, friend and client of AEmilius Lentulus, her master, that theyoung lady was to be made comfortable, was to be supplied with whatevershe required, and was on no account to be suffered to leave the grounds.The family was strictly enjoined not to mention to any one her presence inthe villa, under pain of severe chastisement.
Blanda was kind and considerate, and had less of the fawning dog in hermanner than was customary among slaves. It was never possible, even formasters, to trust the word of their servants; consequently Perpetua, whoknew what slaves were, placed little reliance on the asseverations ofignorance that fell from the lips of Blanda. There was, in theconversation of Blanda, that which the woman intended to reassure, butwhich actually heightened the uneasiness of the girl--this was the way inwhich the woman harped continually on the good looks, amiability andwealth of her master, who, as she insisted, belonged to the Voltiniantribe, and was therefore one of the best connected and highest placed inthe colony.
The knowledge that she had been removed to Ad Fines to insure her safetydid not satisfy Perpetua; and she was by no means assured that she hadthus been carried off with the approbation and knowledge of her mother, orof the bishop and principal Christians of her acquaintance in Nemausus. OfAEmilius Varo she really knew nothing save that he was a man of pleasureand a lawyer.
Adjoining the house was a conservatory. Citron trees and oleanders inlarge green-painted boxes were employed in summer to decorate the terraceand gardens. They were allowed to be out in mild winters, but directly themistral began to howl, the men-servants of the house had hurriedlyconveyed them within doors into the conservatory, as the gale would stripthem of their fruit, bruise the leaves and injure the flowers.
In her trouble of mind, unable to go abroad in the bitter weather,impatient of quiet, Perpetua entered the citron-house and walked among thetrees in their green tubs, now praying for help, then wiping the dropsfrom her eyes and brow.
As she thus paced, she heard a stir in the house, the opening of doors,the rush of wind driving through it, the banging of valves and rattle ofshutters. Then she heard voices, and among them one that was imperious. Amoment later, Blanda ran to Perpetua, and after making a low obeisancesaid: "The master is come. He desires permission to speak with you, lady,when he hath had his bath and hath assumed a change of raiment. For by themother goddesses, no one can be many moments without and not be drenchedto the bone. And this exhibits the master's regard for thee, lady; hisextreme devotion to your person and regard for your comfort, that he hasexposed himself to cold and rain and wind so as to come hither to inquireif you are well, and if there be aught you desire that he can perform tocontent you."
What was Perpetua to do? She plucked some citron blossoms in her nervousagitation, unknowing what she did, then answered timidly: "I am in thehouse of the noble AEmilius. Let him speak with me here when it suits hisconvenience. Yet stay, Blanda! Inquire at once, whether he brings metidings of my dear mother."
The slave hasted away, and returned directly to inform Perpetua that hermaster was grieved to relate that he was unable to give her the desiredinformation, but that he only awaited instructions from Perpetua to takemeasures to satisfy her.
Then the girl was left alone, and in greater agitation than before. Shewalked among the evergreens, putting the citron flowers to her nose,plucking off the leaves, pressing her hand to her brow, and wiping herdistilling eyes.
The conservatory was unglazed. It was furnished with shutters in whichwere small openings like those in fiddles. Consequently a twilight reignedin the place; what light entered was colorless, and without brilliancy.Through the openings could be seen the whirling vapors; through them alsothe rain spluttered in, and the wind sighed a plaintive strain, now andthen rising to a scream.
Perpetua still held the little bunch of citron in her hand; she was asunaware that she held it as that she had plucked it. Her mind wasotherwise engaged, and her nervous fingers must needs clasp something.
As she thus walked, fearing the appearance of AEmilius, and yet desirous ofhaving a term put to her suspense, she heard steps, and in another momentthe young lawyer stood before her. He bowed with hands extended, and withcourtly consideration would not draw near. Aware that she was shy orfrightened, he said: "I have to ask your pardon, young lady, for thisintrusion on your privacy, above all for your abduction to this house ofmine. It
was done without my having been consulted, but was done with goodintent, by a friend, to place you out of danger. I had no part in thematter; nevertheless I rejoice that my house has had the honor of servingyou as a refuge from such as seek your destruction."
"I thank you," answered the girl constrainedly. "I owe you a word ofacknowledgment of my lively gratitude for having rescued me from thefountain, and another for affording me shelter here. But if I may beallowed to ask a favor, it is that my mother be restored to me, or me tomy mother."
"Alas, lady," said AEmilius, "I have no knowledge where she is. I myselfhave been in concealment--for the rabble has been incensed against me forwhat I was privileged to do, at the Nemausean basin, unworthy that I was.I have not since ventured into the town; not that I believe the rabblewould dare attempt violence against me, but I do not think it wise toallow them the chance. I sent my good, blundering friend Callipodius toinquire what had become of you, as I was anxious lest you should again bein peril of your life; and he--Callipodius--seeing what a ferment there wasin the town, and how determined the priesthood was to get you once moreinto its power, he consulted his mother wit, and had you conveyed to mycountry house. Believe me, lady, he was actuated by a sincere wish to doyou service. If he had but taken the Lady Quincta away as well, and lodgedher here along with you, I would not have a word of reproach for him, norentertain a feeling of guilt in your eyes."
"My mother was in the first litter."
"That litter did not pass out of the gates of Nemausus. Callipodius wasconcerned for your safety, as he knew that it was you who were menaced andnot your mother."
"But it is painful for me to be away from my mother."
"Lady! you are safer separated from her. If she be, as I presume, still inthe town, then those who pursue you will prowl about where she is, littlesupposing that you are elsewhere, and the secret of your hiding-placecannot be wrung from her if she does not herself know it."
"I concern myself little about my life," said Perpetua. "But, to be alonehere, away from her, from every relation, in a strange house----"
"I know what you would say, or rather what you feel and do not like tosay. I have a proposal to make to you which will relieve your difficultyif it commends itself to you. It will secure your union with your mother,and prevent anything being spoken as to your having been concealed herethat may offend your honorable feelings."
Perpetua said nothing. She plucked at the petals of the citron flower andstrewed them on the marble pavement.
"You have been brought to this house, and happily none know that you arehere, save my client, Callipodius, and myself. But what I desire to say isthis. Give me a right to make this your refuge, and me a right to protectyou. If I be not distasteful to you, permit this. I place myselfunreservedly in your hands. I love you, but my respect for you equals mylove. I am rich and enjoy a good position. I have nothing I can wish forbut to be authorized by you to be your defender against every enemy. Be mywife, and not all the fools and _flamines_ of the province can touch ahair of your head."
The tears welled into Perpetua's eyes. She looked at the young man, whostood before her with such dignity and gentleness of demeanor. He seemedto her to be as noble, as good as a heathen well could be. He felt for herdelicate position; he had risked his life and fortunes to save her. He hadroused the powerful religious faction of his native city against him, andhe was now extending his protection over her against the priesthood andthe mob of Nemausus.
"I know," pursued AEmilius, "that I am not worthy of one such as yourself.I offer myself because I see no other certain means of making you secure,save by your suffering me to be your legitimate defender. If your motherwill consent, and I am so happy as to have yours, then we will hurry onthe rites which shall make us one, and not a tongue can stir against youand not a hand be lifted to pluck you from my side."
Perpetua dropped the flower, now petalless. She could not speak. Herespected her emotions, and continued to address her.
"I am confident that I can appease the excitement among the people and thepriests, and those attached to the worship of the divine ancestor. Theywill not dare to push matters to extremities. The sacrifice has beenillegal all along, but winked at by the magistrates because a customhanded down with the sanction of antiquity. But a resolute protest made--ifneed be an appeal to Caesar--and the priesthood are paralyzed. Consider alsothat as my wife they could no longer demand you. Their hold on you wouldbe done for, as none but an unmarried maid may be sacrificed. The veryutmost they can require in their anger and disappointment will be that youshould publicly sprinkle a few grains of incense on the altar ofNemausus."
"I cannot do that. I am a Christian."
"Believe what you will. Laugh at the gods as do I and many another. A fewcrumbs of frankincense, a little puff of smoke that is soon sped."
"It may not be."
"Remain a Christian, adhere to its philosophy or revelation, as Castorcalls it. Attend its orgies, and be the protectress of your fellow-believers."
"None the less, I cannot do it."
"But why not?"
"I cannot be false to Christ."
"What falsehood is there in this?"
"It is a denial of Him."
"Bah! He died two hundred years ago."
"He lives, He is ever present, He sees and knows all."
"Well, then He will not look harshly on a girl who acts thus to save herlife."
"I should be false to myself as well as to Him."
"I cannot understand this----"
"No, because you do not know and love Him."
"Love Him!" echoed AEmilius, "He is dead. You never saw Him at any time. Itis impossible for any one to love one invisible, unseen, a mere historicalcharacter. See, we have all over Gallia Narbonensis thousands ofAugustals; they form a sect, if you will. All their worship is of AugustusCaesar, who died before your Christ. Do you suppose that one among thosethousands loves him whom they worship, and after whom they are named, andwho is their bond of connection? No--it is impossible. It cannot be."
"But with us, to know is to love. Christ is the power of God, and we loveHim because He first loved us."
"Riddles, riddles!" said AEmilius, shaking his head.
"It is a riddle that may be solved to you some day. I would give my lifethat it were."
"You would?"
"Aye, and with joy. You risked your life for me. I would give mine to winfor you----"
"What?"
"Faith. Having that you would know how to love."
Perpetua. A Tale of Nimes in A.D. 213 Page 18
