e," thought he, "that a city should begin to burn in all places
at once. The wind is blowing from the north and bears smoke in this
direction only. On the other side there is none. But in every case it
will be enough for Ursus to go through the Janiculum gate with Lygia, to
save himself and her. It is equally impossible that a whole population
should perish, and the world-ruling city be swept from the face of the
earth with its inhabitants. Even in captured places, where fire and
slaughter rage together, some people survive in all cases; why, then,
should Lygia perish of a certainty? On the contrary, God watches over
her, He who Himself, conquered death." Thus reasoning, he began to pray
again, and, yielding to fixed habit, he made great vows to Christ, with
promises of gifts and sacrifices. After he had hurried through Albanum,
nearly all of whose inhabitants were on roofs and on trees to look at
Rome, he grew somewhat calm, and regained his cool blood. He remembered,
too, that Lygia was protected not only by Ursus and Linus, but by the
Apostle Peter. At the mere remembrance of this, fresh solace entered
his heart. For him Peter was an incomprehensible, an almost superhuman
being. From the time when he heard him at Ostrianum, a wonderful
impression clung to him, touching which he had written to Lygia at the
beginning of his stay in Antium,--that every word of the old man was
true, or would show its truth hereafter. The nearer acquaintance
which during his illness he had formed with the Apostle heightened the
impression, which was turned afterward into fixed faith. Since Peter had
blessed his love and promised him Lygia, Lygia could not perish in the
flames. The city might burn, but no spark from the fire would fall on
her garments. Under the influence of a sleepless night, mad riding, and
impressions, a wonderful exaltation possessed the young tribune; in this
exaltation all things seemed possible: Peter speaks to the flame,
opens it with a word, and they pass uninjured through an alley of fire.
Moreover, Peter saw future events; hence, beyond doubt, he foresaw the
fire, and in that ease how could he fail to warn and lead forth the
Christians from the city, and among others Lygia, whom he loved, as he
might his own child? And a hope, which was strengthening every moment,
entered the heart of Vinicius. If they were fleeing from the city, he
might find them in Bovillae, or meet them on the road. The beloved face
might appe