You mean Agellius," said Arnobius. "You've heard, by-the-bye," he
continued in a lower tone, "what's the talk in the Capitol, that at Rome
they are proceeding on a new plan against the Christians with great
success. They don't put to death, at least at once; they keep in prison,
and threaten the torture. It's surprising how many come over."

"The Furies seize them!" exclaimed Jucundus: "they deserve everything bad,
always excepting my poor boy. So they are cheating the hangman by giving
up their atheism, the vile reptiles, giving in to a threat. However," he
added gravely, "I wish threats would answer with Agellius; but I greatly
fear that menace would only make him stubborn. That stubbornness of a
Christian! O Arnobius!" he said, shaking his head and looking solemn,
"it's a visitation from the gods, a sort of _nympholepsia_."

"It's going out," said Arnobius, "mark my words; the frenzy is dying. It's
only wonderful it should have lasted for three centuries. The report runs
that in some places, when the edict was published, the Christians did not
wait for a summons, but swept up to the temples to sacrifice, like a shoal
of tunnies. The magistrates were obliged to take so many a day; and, as
the days went on, none so eager to bring over the rest as those who have
already become honest men. Nay, not a few of their mystic or esoteric
class have conformed."

"If so, unless Agellius looks sharp," said Jucundus, "his sect will give
him up before he gives up his sect. Christianity will be converted before
him."

"Oh, don't fear for him!" said Arnobius; "I knew him at school. Boys
differ; some are bold and open. They like to be men, and to dare the deeds
of men; they talk freely, and take their swing in broad day. Others are
shy, reserved, bashful, and are afraid to do what they love quite as much
as the others. Agellius never could rub off this shame, and it has taken
this turn. He's sure to outgrow it in a year or two. I should not wonder
if, when once he had got over it, he went into the opposite fault. You'll
find him a drinker and a swaggerer and a spendthrift before many years are
over."

"Well, that's good news," said Jucundus; "I mean, I am glad you think he
will shake off these fancies. I don't believe they sit very close to him
myself."

He walked on for a while in silence; then he said, "That seems a sharp
child, Arnobius. Could he do me a service if I wanted it? Does he know
Agellius?"

"Know him?" answered