Virgilia or, Out of the Lion's Mouth

ass away and be almost forgotten, except by the lawyer, who feared disaster. He did what for him was a novel thing. He made

sterces of gold from the imperial treasury, besides having a lucrative practice. Being so large a

followed Christus-though this was not known-he went to the main door of the

Alexis seated himself on the steps,

Way to a shrine where the people would worship him as possessing the spirit of a great

dancing girls and the motley crowd of men and women. He prayed to Almighty Go

gifts than he had been to the slave Alyrus. When he learned the nam

den chalice and purse of gold pieces. "In these days when Rome is filled with new doctrines and heretics are

ors into the brilliant October sunshine, the priest smiled, a cruel smile of one who medi

ed her health marvellously. She was very affectionate to Virgilia and her offense was no more mentioned, nor was she re

the religious ceremony should take place. There were cedar chests to be filled with piles of linen, woven by the slaves. One very handsome oak marria

himmering in the sunrays, alive with inner fires of flame-color. There were diamonds, half-cut, and pearls found in the Ganges, with emeralds and sa

to be brought to their door by a train of slaves, thus calling atte

dia felt that her cup was full of happiness. Even Virgilia was pleased and for the moment, being young

ned Hermione and Marcus. From them and other Christians he heard news which greatly alarmed him. There were rumors of an uprising against the followers of Christ. It was said that the priests of Jupit

the coming marriage was permitted to see Virgilia, confirmed the news, entirely unaware of

ira prepared. "And like rats they live in holes in the ground. There they hold their wicked

ilia asked her brother afte

does not. I fear-I fear. Yet, if thou art once married to h

nd Hermione

werful. We are

ding gift to Virgilia with many greetings and good wishes. And if it were poss

laudia. "The Lady Octav

is a good client. It will be an enjoyable feast in this fine we

r courtyard. They were embroidering fine garments of silk so soft that it could be drawn through a ring. They were hemming

her parents and Martius, to take up another life, and be obedient to the old Senator, who, kind and indulgent as he might be, was, nevertheless, little more than her master, or she, little better than one of her own slaves. Not

teep staircase and went out upon the flat roof. It was like a garden up here, with trellises and vines. Some late tea-

One, making a carpet. Above her head was a gay scarlet and blue aw

d when Virgilia came near, mo

said the young girl

red with conventional designs, and the centre was exquisite, a white ground on which loose f

, and when it is done, it shall

r m

I have worked at it, thinking that on the day when thou shouldst go away to thy husband, the rug would go wi

ver hold i

re Lucius the Water-Carrier lived, where were the marvellous tombs of the great on the Appian Way; where stately homes borde

had burst in upon the betrothal feast with her dire prophecies, she had been transformed, a creat

brought to thee wisdom. Should one tell everythin

d suspended from her ivory hook

a secret,

, mo

ich thou a

t it involv

ed with sand. Virgilia

or some time suspected

she would recognize th

e were not, it

King, who was sore afraid, because it was told him that a new King had come to reign over Israel. The angels sang at His birth and the kings from the East broug

called. "It is time to go. Hur

nd worship Him in thine heart lest evil come upon the thousands who love Him," said the Old One. Her eyes grew filmy and she stre

er!" said Vir

say? This work must be finis

e Martius' pere

I am c

ed her chair, and with Martius walking by her side, was borne out of the city gate guarded by men in

d with huge bunches of purple and white grapes. The men and women slaves were gathering them

ing grapes to their heart's content, telling stories of other days, le

and fresh green salad, luscious fruit and white goat's cheese, finishing the meal with

od so bountifully provided. Only a small part of the servants, formerly slaves, were Christians, and Octavia had often been warned th

," was all that

bowers of beauty, the table, with its spotless cloth of fine white linen, bore silver

feast was observed with games and songs and merriment, but all was done decently and in order. It was because her views were not theirs that many of the friends who

nlight. At seven o'clock, they were eating supper in an arbor at the side of the Villa. The

he sounds of boisterous laughter, of loud singing, came to their ears from th

ise than usual,"

rreling with each other. "It is nothing," replied Marcus. "

mother w

Martius," she said. "I will carry thy chair,

" Martius said, laughin

ily protec

n here," suggested Marcus. "We wil

wiser that we should start at once. Later

the arbor. He was, plainly, very much excited. With him was

med Martius, surprised

glow of his dark eyes, resting by turns on each member of the group. "You and the Lady Virgilia are to return home at once. Y

!" said

nt to speak to Hermion

into he

he asked. "We cannot

iled a

us, Martius

great faith, Hermione. W

God

hem. The heavy bolts were shot quickly into place by the frightened porter. Riots were

ged between Alyrus and the bearers, ne

ry menacing. The men were throwing stones over

anus, worshipper of the gods," cried Alyru