CHAPTER XXVII
THE BISHOP CYRIL
On the morning following the day of the Triumph Julia, the wife ofGallus, was seated in her bed-chamber looking out at the yellow watersof the Tiber that ran almost beneath its window. She had risen at dawnand attended to the affairs of her household, and now retired to restand pray. Mingled with the Roman crowd on the yesterday she had seenMiriam, whom she loved, marching wearily through the streets of Rome.Then, able to bear no more, she went home, leaving Gallus to follow thelast acts of the drama. About nine o'clock that night he joined her andtold her the story of the sale of Miriam for a vast sum of money, since,standing in the shadow beyond the light of the torches, he had been awitness of the scene at the slave-market. Domitian had been outbid, andtheir Pearl-Maiden was knocked down to an old woman with a basket onher back who looked like a witch, after which she vanished with herpurchaser. That was all he knew for certain. Julia thought it littleenough, and reproached her husband for his stupidity in not learningmore. Still, although she seemed to be vexed, at heart she rejoiced.Into whoever's hand the maid had fallen, for a while at least she hadescaped the vile Domitian.
Now, as she sat and prayed, Gallus being abroad to gather more tidingsif he could, she heard the courtyard door open, but took no noticeof it, thinking that it was but the servant who returned from market.Presently, however, as she knelt, a shadow fell upon her and Julialooked up to see Miriam, none other than Miriam, and with her adark-skinned, aged woman, whom she did not know.
"How come you here?" she gasped.
"Oh! mother," answered the girl in a low and thrilling voice, "mother,by the mercy of God and by the help of this Nehushta, of whom I haveoften told you, and--of another, I am escaped from Domitian, and returnto you free and unharmed."
"Tell me that story," said Julia, "for I do not understand. The thingsounds incredible."
So Miriam told her tale. When it was done, Julia said:
"Heathen though he is, this Marcus must be a noble-hearted man, whom mayHeaven reward."
"Yes," answered Miriam with a sigh, "may Heaven reward him, as I wish Imight."
"As you would have done had I not stayed you," put in Nehushta. Hervoice was severe, but as she spoke something that Julia took to be asmile was seen for an instant on her grim features.
"Well, friend, well," said Julia, "we have all of us fallen intotemptation from time to time."
"Pardon me, lady," answered Nehushta, "but speak for yourself. I neverfell into any temptation--from a man. I know too much of men."
"Then, friend," replied Julia, "return thanks for the good armour ofyour wisdom. For my part, I say that, like the lord Marcus, this maidhas acted well, and my prayer is that she also may not lose her reward."
"Mine is," commented Nehushta, "that Marcus may escape the payment whichhe will doubtless receive from the hand of Domitian if he can hunt himout," a remark at which the face of Miriam grew very troubled.
Just then Gallus returned, and to him the whole history had to be toldanew.
"It is wonderful," he said, "wonderful! I never heard the like of it.Two people who love each other and who, when their hour comes, separateover some question of faith, or rather in obedience to a command laidupon one of them by a lady who died years and years ago. Wonderful--andI hope wise, though had I been the man concerned I should have takenanother counsel."
"What counsel, husband?" asked Julia.
"Well--to get away from Rome with the lady as far as possible, andwithout more delay than was necessary. It seems to me that under thecircumstances it would have been best for her to consider her scruplesin another land. You see Domitian is not a Christian any more thanMarcus is, and our maid here does not like Domitian and does likeMarcus. No, it is no good arguing the thing is done, but I think thatyou Christians might very well add two new saints to your calendar. Andnow to breakfast, which we all need after so much night duty."
So they went and ate, but during that meal Gallus was very silent, aswas his custom when he set his brain to work. Presently he asked:
"Tell me, Miriam, did any see you or your companion enter here?"
"No, I think not," she answered, "for as it chanced the door of thecourtyard was ajar and the servant has not yet returned."
"Good," he said. "When she does return I will meet her and send her outon a long errand."
"Why?" asked his wife.
"Because it is as well that none should know what guests we have tillthey are gone again."
"Until they are gone again!" repeated Julia, astonished. "Surely youwould not drive this maid, who has become to us as our daughter, fromyour door?"
"Yes, I would, wife, for that dear maid's sake," and he took Miriam'slittle hand in his great palm and pressed it. "Listen now," he went on,"Miriam, the Jewish captive, has dwelt in our care these many months,has she not, as is known to all, is it not? Well, if any one wants tofind her, where will they begin by looking?"
"Aye! where?" echoed Nehushta.
"Why should any one wish to find her?" asked Julia. "She was bought inthe slave-market for a great price by the lord Marcus, who, of his ownwill, has set her at liberty. Now, therefore, she is a free woman whomnone can touch."
"A free woman!" answered Gallus with scorn. "Is any woman free in Romeupon whom Domitian has set his mind? Surely, you Christians are tooinnocent for this world. Peace now, for there is no time to lose. Julia,do you cloak yourself and go seek that high-priest of yours, Cyril, whoalso loves this maid. Tell the tale to him, and say that if he wouldsave her from great dangers he had best find some secret hiding-placeamong the Christians, for her and her companion, until means can befound to ship them far from Rome. What think you of that plan, my Libyanfriend?"
"I think that it is good, but not good enough," answered Nehushta. "Ithink that we had best depart with the lady, your wife, this very hour,for who can tell how soon the dogs will be laid upon our slot?"
"And what say you, maid Miriam?" asked Gallus.
"I? Oh! I thank you for your thought, and I say--let us hide in anyplace you will, even a drain or a stable, if it will save me fromDomitian."
Pearl-Maiden: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem Page 43
