CHAPTER XXI
THE CAESARS AND PRINCE DOMITIAN
When the captain Gallus reached the outskirts of Rome he halted, forhe did not desire that Miriam should be led through the streets in thedaytime, and thus cause questions to be asked concerning her. Also hesent on a messenger bidding the man find out his wife, Julia, if shewere still alive, since of this Gallus, who had not seen her for severalyears, could tell nothing, and inform her that he would be with hershortly, bringing with him a maiden who had been placed in his chargeby Titus. Before nightfall, the messenger returned, and with him Juliaherself, a woman past middle-age, but, although grey-haired, stillhandsome and stately.
Miriam saw their meeting, which was a touching sight, since thischildless couple who had been married for almost thirty years, had nowbeen separated for a long time. Moreover, a rumour had reached Juliathat her husband was not only wounded, but dead, wherefore her joy andthankfulness at his coming were even greater than they would otherwisehave been. One thing, however, Miriam noted, that whereas her friend andbenefactor, Gallus, held up his hands and thanked the gods that he foundhis wife living and well, Julia on her part said:
"Aye, I thank God," touching her breast with her fingers as she spokethe words.
Presently the matron seemed to notice her, and, looking at her with adoubtful eye, asked:
"How comes it, husband, that you are in charge of this captive Jewess,if Jewess she be who is so fair?"
"By the orders of Titus Caesar, wife," he answered, "to whom she mustbe delivered on his arrival. She was condemned to perish on the gateNicanor as a traitress to the Jews and a Nazarene."
Julia started and looked at the girl over her shoulder.
"Are you of that faith, daughter?" she asked in a changed voice,crossing her hands upon her breast as though by chance.
"I am, mother," answered Miriam, repeating the sign.
"Well, well, husband," said Julia, "the maid's tale can wait. Whethershe was a traitress to the Jews, or a follower of Christus, is not ouraffair. At least she is in your charge, and therefore welcome to me,"and stepping to where Miriam stood with bowed head she kissed her on theforehead, saying aloud:
"I greet you, daughter, who are so sweet to see and in misfortune,"adding beneath her breath, "in the Name you know."
Then Miriam was sure that she had fallen into the hands of a woman whowas a Christian, and was thankful in her heart, for while the Caesars satupon the Roman throne the Christians of every clime, rank and race wereone great family.
That evening, so soon as the darkness fell, they entered Rome by theAppian Gate. Here they separated, Gallus leading his soldiers to convoythe treasure to the safe keeping of that officer who was appointed toreceive it, and afterwards to the camp prepared for them, while Julia,with Miriam and an escort of two men only, departed to her own home, asmall dwelling in a clean but narrow and crowded street that overhungthe Tiber between the Pons AElius and the Porta Flamina. At the door ofthe house Julia dismissed the soldiers, saying:
"Go without fear, and take witness that I am bond for the safety of thiscaptive."
So the men went gladly enough, for they desired to rest after the toilsof their long journey, and the door of the house having been opened bya servant and locked again behind them, Julia led Miriam across a littlecourt to the sitting-room that lay beyond. Hanging lamps of bronzeburned in the room, and by their light Miriam saw that it was very cleanand well, though not richly, furnished.
"This is my own house, daughter," she explained, "which my father leftme, where I have dwelt during all these weary years that my husband hasbeen absent in the wars of the East. It is a humble place, but you willfind peace and safety in it, and, I trust, comfort. Poor child," sheadded in a gentle voice, "I who am also a Christian, though as yet ofthis my husband knows nothing, welcome you in the Name of the Lord."
"In the Name of our Lord, I thank you," answered Miriam, "who am but afriendless slave."
"Such find friends," said Julia, "and if you will suffer it I think thatI shall be one of them." Then at a sign from the elder woman they kneltdown, and in silence each of them put up her prayer of thanksgiving, thewife because her husband had come back to her safe, the maiden becauseshe had been led to a house ruled by a woman of her own faith.
After this they ate, a plain meal but well cooked and served. When itwas done Julia conducted Miriam to the little whitewashed chamber whichhad been prepared for her. It was lighted from the court by a latticeset high in the wall, and, like all the house, very clean and sweet,with a floor of white marble.
"Once another maid slept here," said Julia with a sigh, glancing at thewhite bed in the corner.
"Yes," said Miriam, "she was named Flavia, was she not, your only child?Nay, do not be astonished. I have heard so much of her that I seem tohave known her well, who can be known no more--here."
"Did Gallus tell you?" asked Julia. "He used rarely to speak of her."
Miriam nodded. "Gallus told me. You see he was very good to me and webecame friends. For all that he has done, may Heaven bless him, who,although he seems rough, has so kind a heart."
"Yes, may Heaven bless all of us, living and dead," answered Julia. Thenshe kissed Miriam and left her to her rest.
When Miriam came out of her bedchamber on the following morning, shefound Gallus clad in his body armour, now new cleaned, though dintedwith many a blow, standing in the court and watching the water whichsquirted from a leaden pipe to fall into a little basin.
"Greeting, daughter," he said, looking up. "I trust that you have restedwell beneath my roof who have sojourned so long in tents."
"Very well," she answered, adding, "If I might ask it, why do you wearyour mail here in peaceful Rome?"
"Because I am summoned to have an audience of Caesar, now within anhour."
"Is Titus come, then?" she asked hurriedly.
"Nay, nay, not Titus Caesar, but Vespasian Caesar, his father, to whom Imust make report of all that was passing in Judaea when we left, of thetreasure that I brought with me and--of yourself."
"Oh! Gallus," said Miriam, "will he take me away from your charge?"
"I know not. I hope not. But who can say? It is as his fancy may movehim. But if he listens to me I swear that you shall stay here for ever;be sure of that."
Then he went, leaning on a spear shaft, for the wound in his leg hadcaused it to shrink so much that he could never hope to be sound again.
Three hours later he returned to find the two women waiting for himanxiously enough. Julia glanced at his face as he came through the doorof the street wall into the vestibulum or courtyard where they werewaiting.
"Have no fear," she said. "When Gallus looks so solemn he brings goodtidings, for if they are bad he smiles and makes light of them," andadvancing she took him by the hand and led him past the porter's roominto the atrium.
"What news, husband?" she asked when the door was shut behind them sothat none might overhear their talk.
"Well," he answered, "first, my fighting days are over, since I amdischarged the army, the physicians declaring that my leg will never bewell again. Wife, why do you not weep?"
"Because I rejoice," answered Julia calmly. "Thirty years of war andbloodshed are enough for any man. You have done your work. It is timethat you should rest who have been spared so long, and at least I havesaved while you were away, and there will be food to fill our mouths."
"Yes, yes, wife, and as it happens, more than you think, sinceVespasian, being gracious and pleased with my report, has granted mehalf-pay for all my life, to say nothing of a gratuity and a share ofthe spoil, whatever that may bring. Still I grieve, who can never hopeto lift spear more."
"Grieve not, for thus I would have had it, Gallus. But what of thismaid?"
"Well, I made my report about her, as I was bound to do, and at firstDomitian, Caesar's son, being curious to see her, prompted Vespasian toorder that she should be brought to the palace. Almost Caesar spoke theword, then a thought seemed to strik
e him and he was silent, whereon Isaid that she had been very sick and still needed care and nursing, andthat if it was his will, my wife could tend her until such time as TitusCaesar, whose spoil she was, might arrive. Again Domitian interrupted,but Vespasian answered, 'The Jewish maid is not your slave, Domitian,or my slave. She is the slave of your brother, Titus. Let her bide withthis worthy officer until Titus comes, he being answerable in his personand his goods that she shall then be produced before him, she or proofof her death.' Then, waving his hand to show that the matter was donewith, he went on to speak of other things, demanding details of thecapture of the Temple and comparing my list of the vessels and othergear with that which was furnished by the treasurer, into whose chargeI handed them yesternight. So, Maid Miriam, till Titus comes you aresafe."
"Yes," answered Miriam with a sigh, "till Titus comes. But afterthat--what?"
"The gods alone know," he said impatiently. "Meanwhile, since my head ison it, I must ask your word of you that you will attempt no flight."
"I give it, Gallus," she answered smiling, "who would die rather thanbring evil on you or yours. Also, whither should I fly?"
"I know not. But you Christians find many friends: the rats themselveshave fewer hiding-places. Still, I trust you, and henceforth you arefree, till Titus comes."
"Aye," repeated Miriam, "--till Titus comes."
Pearl-Maiden: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem Page 31
