tion was put to him
by his stepmother.

She had heard that Dada was quite resolved to be baptized, and having
once more made sure of the fact that the girl was anxious to become a
Christian, she next asked:

"And it was Marcus who won her to the faith?"

"He alone."

"And you can swear that she is a pure-minded and well-conducted girl?"

Certainly, with the firmest conviction."

"I saw her in the arena--she is pretty, uncommonly charming indeed--and
Marcus . . . ?"

"He has set his heart on the girl, and I am sure that his passion is
sincere and unselfish. On the other hand I need hardly remind you that in
this city there are many women, even among those of the first rank, whose
birth and origin are far more doubtful than those of your son's little
friend, for she, at any rate, is descended from free and respectable
parents. Her uncle's connections are among the best families in Sicily;
not that we need trouble ourselves about that, for the wife of Philip's
grandson would command respect even if she were only a freed-woman."

"I know, I know," murmured Mary, as though all this were of minor
importance in her eyes; and then for some little time she remained
silent. At last she looked up and exclaimed in a voice that betrayed the
struggle still going on in her soul:

"What have I to care for but my child's happiness? In the sight of God we
are all equal--great and small alike; and I myself am but a weak woman,
full of defects and sins--but for all that I could have wished that the
only son of a noble house might have chosen differently. All I can say is
that I must look upon this marriage as a humiliation laid upon me by the
Almighty--still, I give it my sanction and blessing, and I will do freely
and with my whole heart if my son's bride brings as her marriage-portion
the one thing which is the first and last aim of all my desires: The
everlasting glory of Apelles. The martyr's crown will open the gates of
Heaven to him--who was your father, too, Demetrius. Gain that and I
myself will lead the singer to my son's arms."

"That is a bargain!" cried Demetrius--and soon after midnight he had
retired to rest, after seeing Mary fulfil her promise to give a parental
blessing to the betrothed pair.

A few weeks later Dada and Gorgo were both baptized, and both by the name
of Cecilia; and then, at Mary's special entreaty, Marcus' marriage was
solemnized with much pomp by the Bishop himself.

Still, and in spite of