tor to thy God--for were she to beckon, 'tis to her that thou
wouldst go, forgetting all--thine immortal soul, thy crucified God...?'
And thus do devils mock me, and my soul grows darker and darker and
greater and greater grows the mystery, for my heart, broken, miserably
doubting and weak, cries out not with resignation, not in patience, but
in a spirit of angry rebellion: 'God, my God! why hast thou forsaken
me?'"

He raised his arms up to heaven as if in a last desperate appeal; but
now he did not kneel--he stood beside his friend shamed and yet proud,
and the look in his eyes was that of one who sees a vision that is
exquisitely beautiful and dear. The other saw the look, and with the
kind indulgence taught by a sublime teacher, he found it in his heart to
pity and to love. Once more he placed his thin, wrinkled hand on the
praefect's shoulder, and his small eyes beamed with perfect faith and
trust as he said gently:

"Do not try and probe any mystery just now, O friend, the day has been
long and thou art weary and sad. Come and sit beside me here at table;
my mother will join us and the girl Nola too, and the man who is thy
slave, if thou wilt so allow it. Together we'll think of that day in
Judaea seven years ago, and we'll break bread and drink wine,
and--without trying to understand anything--we'll do it all together in
memory of Him!"

For a moment Taurus Antinor was silent. In the strong face every line
told of the great storm within the innermost heart.

And slowly the man beside him repeated the most exquisite words that
have ever been spoken to a troubled soul.

"Come unto Me all ye that travail and are heavy laden and I will refresh
you."

Taurus Antinor's head fell upon his breast. He closed his eyes, for not
even his friend should see that they were wet with tears. But even
whilst the heartstrings were torn by the ruthless hand of passion, it
seemed as if--when the man had finished speaking--the magic words had
already left upon the soul their impress of infinite peace.

And without another word, he went slowly forward and took his place at
the table.

At a call from the man, the old woman entered softly, her woollen shoes
making no sound upon the wooden floor. She had Nola by the hand who
seemed comforted and rested. The praefect beckoned to Folces, who
silently obeyed and came forward to the table.

Then the five of them sat down and quietly partook of supper, sitting
side by side, the disc