sunderstood and unregarded by the heartless multitude, yet Pathema's
discipline and victory were the work of God, and they, even the
greatest of them, were but the willing, guilty instruments. She was
being fashioned through suffering in the truest beauty and for the
highest honour--the beauty of holiness, which endures for ever. She
walked meekly and painfully on, she reached the little door, and then
she passed from their guilty presence,--a queen, though uncrowned.

CHAPTER XIII.

NIGHT.

The unconscious officer's wound was hastily but skilfully bound up and
the blood stanched, he was raised in a _lectica_ or litter, and carried
home with great care to his mansion. In the quietest chamber of the
house, he was laid upon a costly bed, one of rare wood with feet of
ivory and with purple coverlets curiously broidered with gold.

Titanus, having done his utmost, had gone away with Carnion, much cast
down, the more so that he was under command by the emperor to leave
Rome immediately on foreign service.

Coryna was left beside her brother, with the physician and a faithful
intelligent slave. The depth of her feelings could not be sounded, yet
there was staying power of a kind. Grief, admiration and anxiety
surged around a will of rock. Within, a whirling storm: without, a
pallid calm. She watched for the first signs of consciousness as the
eagle watches for its prey.

Tharsos lay as if in death, with the soft light of serenity still on
his manly face and classic brow. He moved at last and opened his eyes.

"Where is the Christian maiden?" said he in dreamy feebleness, his
expression changing into a look of anxiety.

Much relieved in tension, Coryna answered softly--

"Some kind one quickly conveyed her away, my brother, but I have sent
several of our slaves over the city to find out her lodging-place and
to enquire after her health."

A radiant joy covered his face, and he remained silent for a little.
Then he spoke with quiet earnestness:--

"My sister, thou knowest her worth. Look after her, I pray thee, for
her own sake, and for the sake of Him she serves so well. But"--and
here he halted, trying painfully to take a deep breath.

"Speak not, my brother," said Coryna soothingly.

Becoming calm, he resumed--"Hasten the search, Coryna; ask the maiden
to come and see me before I die. Tell her that I shall regard her
visit as a kindness and honour. I desire much to speak to her, my
beloved s