Pearl-Maiden: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem
Page 47
Two full months had gone by. Marcus still languished in prison, forTitus had not yet returned to Rome, but as he learned from Cyril,Domitian wearied somewhat of his fruitless search for Miriam, althoughhe still vowed vengeance against the rival who had robbed him. The ship_Luna_ was laden and ready for sea; indeed, if the wind and weatherwere favourable, she was to sail within a week. Gallus and Julia, havingwound up their affairs, had removed to Ostia, whither Miriam was to bebrought secretly on the night of the sailing of the _Luna_. Marcus wasnow at heart a Christian, but as yet had refused to accept baptism. Thusmatters stood when Cyril visited the prison bringing with him Miriam'sfarewell message to her lover. It was very short.
"Tell Marcus," she said, "that I go because he bids me, and that I knownot whether we shall meet again. Say that perhaps it is best that weshould not meet, since for reasons which he knows, even if he shouldstill wish it, we may not marry. Say that in life or death I am his, andhis only, and that until my last hour my thought and prayer will be forhim. May he be delivered from all those troubles which, as I fear, Ihave brought upon him, through no will of mine. May he forgive me forthem and let my love and gratitude make some amends for all that I havedone amiss."
To this Marcus answered: "Tell Miriam that from my heart I thank her forher message, and that my desire is that she should be gone from Rome sosoon as may be, since here danger dogs her steps. Tell her that althoughit is true that mine has brought me shame and sorrow, still I give herlove for love, and that if I come living from my prison I will followher to Tyre and speak further of these matters. If I die, I pray thatgood fortune may attend her and that from time to time she will make theoffering of an hour's thought to the spirit which once was Marcus."