lection of him rose in me which was
sorrow and reproach. If what I write astonish thee, I reply that it
astonishes me no less, but I write pure truth.--Farewell."

Chapter XXIX

VINICUS received no answer to this letter. Petronius did not write,
thinking evidently that Caesar might command a return to Rome any day. In
fact, news of it was spread in the city, and roused great delight in the
hearts of the rabble, eager for games with gifts of grain and olives,
great supplies of which had been accumulated in Ostia. Helius, Nero's
freedman, announced at last the return in the Senate. But Nero,
having embarked with his court on ships at Misenum, returned slowly,
disembarking at coast towns for rest, or exhibitions in theatres. He
remained between ten and twenty days in Minturna, and even thought
to return to Naples and wait there for spring, which was earlier than
usual, and warm. During all this time Vinicius lived shut up in his
house, thinking of Lygia, and all those new things which occupied his
soul, and brought to it ideas and feelings foreign to it thus far. He
saw, from time to time, only Glaucus the physician, every one of whose
visits delighted him, for he could converse with the man about Lygia.
Glaucus knew not, it is true, where she had found refuge, but he gave
assurance that the elders were protecting her with watchful care. Once
too, when moved by the sadness of Vinicius, he told him that Peter had
blamed Crispus for reproaching Lygia with her love. The young patrician,
hearing this, grew pale from emotion. He had thought more than once that
Lygia was not indifferent to him, but he fell into frequent doubt and
uncertainty. Now for the first time he heard the confirmation of his
desires and hopes from strange lips, and, besides, those of a Christian.
At the first moment of gratitude he wished to run to Peter. When he
learned, however, that he was not in the city, but teaching in the
neighborhood, he implored Glaucus to accompany him thither, promising to
make liberal gifts to the poor community. It seemed to him, too, that if
Lygia loved him, all obstacles were thereby set aside, as he was ready
at any moment to honor Christ. Glaucus, though he urged him persistently
to receive baptism, would not venture to assure him that he would gain
Lygia at once, and said that it was necessary to desire the religion for
its own sake, through love of Christ, not for other objects. "One
must have a Christian soul,