th no man than this, that a man lay down his life
for his friends."

It was evening in the Pretorian camp. Lucullus was in his room seated by
a lamp which threw a bright light around. He was roused by a knock at
the door. At once rising, he opened it. A man entered and advanced
silently to the middle of the room. He then disencumbered himself of the
folds of a large mantle in which he was dressed and faced Lucullus.

"Marcellus!" cried the other in amazement, and springing forward he
embraced his visitor with every mark of joy.

"Dear friend," said he, "to what happy chance do I owe this meeting? I
was just thinking of you and wondering when we should meet again."

"Our meetings, I fear," said Marcellus sadly "will not be very frequent
now. I make this one at the risk of my life."

"True," said Lucullus, participating in the sadness of the other. "You
are pursued, and there is a price on your head. Yet here you are as safe
as you ever were in those happy days before this madness seized you. O,
Marcellus why can they not return again?"

"I cannot change my nature nor undo what is done. Moreover, Lucullus,
although my lot may appear to you a hard one, I never was so happy."

"Happy!" cried the other in deep surprise.

"Yes, Lucullus, though afflicted I am not cast down; though persecuted I
am not in despair."

"The persecution of the emperor is no slight matter."

"I know it well. I see my brethren fall before it every day. Every day
the circle that surrounds me is lessened. Friends leave me and never
appear again. Companions go up to the city, but when they return they
are carried back dead to be deposited in their graves."

"And yet you say you can be happy?"

"Yes, Lucullus, I have a peace that the world knows nothing of; a peace
that cometh from above, that passeth all understanding."

"I know, Marcellus, that you are too brave to fear death; but I never
knew that you had sufficient fortitude to endure calmly all that I know
you must now suffer. Your courage is superhuman, or rather it is the
courage of madness."

"It comes from above, Lucullus. Once I was incapable of feeling it, but
now old things have passed away and all has become new. Sustained by
this new power, I can endure the utmost evils that can be dealt upon me.
I expect nothing but suffering in life, and know that I shall die in
agony; yet the thought can not overcome the strong faith that is
within me."

"It pains me," said Lucullus