Valeria, the Martyr of the Catacombs: A Tale of Early Christian Life in Rome

by W. H. Withrow

  CHAPTER XIII.

  FATHER AND DAUGHTER.

  Demetrius was now eager to set out for Rome to behold once more thechild whom he had scarce hoped ever to see again. A happy leave-takingof the brethren of Milan, who rejoiced in fraternal sympathy, followed;and on a gently ambling mule, at break of day, the old man rode forthbeside the gallantly equipped Isidorus. He beguiled the weary way withquestions about his long-lost daughter, as to her growth, appearance,her apparent health, and even the very garb she wore. He was never tiredhearing about her, and recounting incidents of her childhood and youth.The only shadow upon his joy was the vague mystery concerning the fateof his son. But he said cheerfully: "God is good. He has restored to meone of my children. I feel confident that in His own good time He willrestore also the other."

  Beneath the fatigue of the long journey of nearly three hundred mileshis powers would have failed, had he not been inspirited and sustainedby the thrilling anticipation of beholding once more his beloved child.

  At length, near sunset, on the tenth day, they drew near the greatmetropolis of the Empire. Clearer and clearer to the view rose theseven-hilled city's pride, the snowy marble peristyles and pediments ofpalace and temple, gleaming in the rosy light like transparentalabaster. To the left rose the cliff-like walls of the Colosseum, eventhen venerable with the time-stains of over two hundred years. In theforeground stretched the long Aurelian Wall, with its towers andbattlements and strong arched gates. They crossed the Tiber by theMilvian Bridge, built three hundred years before, and destined towitness within ten years that fierce struggle for the mastery of theempire, between Constantine and Maxentius, when the British-born C[ae]sarsaw, or thought he saw, in the mid-day heavens a blazing cross, andexclaiming "By this sign we conquer," overwhelmed his adversary in therushing river.[31]

  Passing under the hill crowned with the famous gardens of Lucullus, nowknown as the Pincio, and beneath the heavy-arched gateway in the wall,they made their way through the narrow streets towards the centre of thecity the--Forum and the Palatine. It was a day of festival--the last dayof the _Quinquatria_, or festival of Minerva. Garlands of flowers, andwreaths of laurel, festooned many of the houses, in front of whichblazed coloured cressets and lamps. Sacred processions were passingthrough the streets, with torches and music and chantings of priests;and ever and anon the shrill blare of the sacred trumpets pierced theear of night. In the Forum the temples of Saturn, and of Castor, andPollux were richly adorned and brilliantly illuminated, and a greatthrong of merry-makers filled the marble square.

  Turning to the left, our travellers ascended the slope of the PalatineHill, amid ever-increasing grandeur of architecture. Demetrius, thoughhe had travelled far and seen much, was struck with astonishment at thesplendour and magnificence of the buildings. Not at Jerusalem, orDamascus, or Antioch, not at Ravenna or Milan, had he witnessed suchwealth of porphyry and marble, such stately colonades and peristyles,covering acres of ground--now but a mound of mouldering ruins.

  "Whither art thou leading me?" asked Demetrius, as they stood before apalace of snowy marble which, bathed in the mellow radiance of therising moon, seemed transformed into translucent alabaster.

  "To the abode where dwells thy daughter, the favoured freed-woman of themistress of all this splendour," replied Isidorus, enjoying the wonderand admiration of his companion in travel.

  A fountain splashed in the centre of the square, its waters flashinglike silver in the moonlight. The burnished mail of the Roman soldiersgleamed as the guard was changed, and their armour clashed as theygrounded their spears and saluted the officer of the watch.

  "What, Max, are you on duty to-night?" said Isidorus as he recognized asoldier of the guard. "Any promotion in your service yet?"

  "No, but I see that there is in yours," said the bluff out-spokenguardsman.

  "Well, yes, I flatter myself that there is," replied the vain-gloriousGreek, "and I hope for still more."

  Announcing to the chamberlain of the palace that he had just arrivedfrom a journey of important business for the Empress Valeria, he withDemetrius were taken to a marble bath, where with the aid of a skilfulslave, they made their toilet for immediate presentation to the Empress.

  Valeria was attended as usual by her freed-woman Callirho[e:], when theGreek was announced.

  "We heard," she said to Isidorus, "by thy letters, of the failure of thyquest at Ravenna and Milan, but we hope----"

  At this moment, with an exclamation of intensest emotion Callirho[e:]rushed forward and flung herself in the arms of the venerable figurewho had followed the Greek into the apartment.

  "My father!" she cried in tones which thrilled every heart, and then sheembraced him again and again. The impassioned love and joy and gratitudeof her soul struggling for expression, she burst into a flood of tears.

  "My daughter, child of my beloved Rachel," exclaimed the old man, as,heedless of the presence of the Empress, he fondly caressed her, "do Iagain embrace thee? Thou art the very image of thy angel-mother, as Ifirst beheld her in the rose gardens of Sharon. Truly God is good. Now,Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace--the cup of my happinessrunneth over."

  "Nay, good father," broke in the soft voice of the Empress, who wasdeeply moved by the scene, "rather live to share thy daughter's love andhappiness."

  "Pardon, august lady," said Demetrius, falling on his knees, andgratefully kissing the Empress's hand. "Pardon, that in the joy offinding my child I forgot the duty I owe to my sovereign."

  "Thy first duty was there," said Valeria, pointing to the lovelyCallirho[e:], who, smiling through her tears, was now leaning on herfather's arm. "We leave you to exchange your mutual confidences. GoodIsidorus it shall be our care to bestow a reward commensurate with thymerit;" and she withdrew to her own apartment.

  "My everlasting gratitude thou hast," said Callirho[e:], with her sweetestsmile, frankly extending her hand.

  "I am, indeed, well repaid," said the Greek, as he respectfully kissedit. "I would gladly show my zeal in much more arduous service," andbowing low, he was accompanied by the chamberlain to the vestibule. Thatofficial gave him, by command of the Empress, a purse of gold, andassured him of still further reward.

  FOOTNOTES:

  [31] A magnificent painting in the Vatican represents with vivid realismthis scene, the drowning of the Pagan Emperor, and the defeat and flightof all his army.