r one
moment stood up, splendid, wrathful, pagan to the heart.

"Curse thy god," she cried wildly, "curse him, I say, for a jealous,
cruel god.... Go thy ways, O follower of the Galilean! go thy ways! and
when lonely and wretched thy footsteps lead thee along that way which
thou hast deified, then call on him, I say--thou'lt find him silent to
thy prayer and deaf unto thy woe!"

Her body swayed, an ashen pallor spread over her cheeks, she would have
fallen backwards like a log had he not caught her in his arms.

Reverently he carried her to the couch and there he laid her down,
wrapping her grey shroud-like tunic closely round her feet.

He bent over her and kissed her golden hair, each blue-veined lid closed
in unconsciousness, the perfect lips pallid now and still.

"In the name of Him Who died before mine eyes, take her in Thy keeping,
O God!" he murmured fervently.

Then without another glance on her, he fled precipitately from the
room.

CHAPTER XXXI

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand."--EPHESIANS VI. 13.

Without looking to right or left he strode across the atrium.

"A cloak quickly," he commanded as Dion and Nolus, obedient and
expectant of orders, rushed forward at his approach.

From the triclinium on the right came the sound of loud laughter and the
strains of a bibulous song, voices raised in gaiety and pleasure: Taurus
Antinor recognised that of Caius Nepos, fluent and mellow, and that of
my lord Hortensius Martius resonant and clear.

To what their revelries meant he did not give a thought. Dea had told
him why these men had come to her house. The intrigues hatched two days
ago over a supper-table were finding their culmination now. The Caesar
was a fugitive and the people rebellious: the golden opportunity lay
ready to the hand of these treacherous self-seekers: and Dea Flavia was
to be their tool, their puppet, until such time as they betrayed her in
her turn into other hands that paid them higher wage.

Taurus Antinor wrapped the dark cloak which Dion had brought him closely
around his person. He gave the slaves a mute, peremptory sign of silence
and then quickly walked past the janitors, through the vestibule and out
into the open street.

The midday light had yielded to early afternoon. It still was grey and
lurid, with a leaden mist hanging over the distance and moisture rising
up