decision is irrevocable. I am a Christian."

For a moment Lucullus sat in astonishment and grief looking at his
friend. He was well acquainted with his resolute soul, and saw with pain
how completely his persuasions had failed. At length he spoke again. He
used every argument that he could think of. He brought forward every
motive that might influence him. He told him of the terrible fate that
awaited him, and the peculiar vengeance that would be directed against
him. But all his words were completely useless. At length he rose in
deep sadness.

"Marcellus," he said, "you tempt fate. You are rushing madly upon a
terrible destiny. Everything that fortune can bestow is before you, but
you turn away from all to cast your lot among wretched outcasts. I have
done the duty of a friend in trying to turn you from your folly, but all
that I can do is of no avail.

"I have brought you the sentence of the general. You are degraded from
office. You are put under arrest as a Christian. To-morrow you will be
seized and handed over to punishment. But many hours are yet before you,
and I may still have the mournful satisfaction of assisting you to
escape. Fly then at once. Hasten, for there is no time to lose. There is
only one place in the world where you can be secure from the vengeance
of Caesar."

Marcellus heard in silence. Slowly he took off his splendid arms and
laid them down, sadly he unfastened his gorgeous armor which he had worn
so proudly. He stood in his simple tunic before his friend.

"Lucullus, again I say that I can never forget your faithful friendship.
Would we were flying together, that your prayers might ascend with mine
to Him whom I serve. But enough, I will go. Farewell."

"Farewell, Marcellus. We may never meet in life again. If you are ever
in want or peril you know on whom you can rely."

The two young men embraced, and Marcellus hastily took his departure.

He walked out of the camp and onward until he reached the Forum. All
around him were stately marble temples and columns and monuments. There
the arch of Titus spanned the Via Sacra; there the imperial palace
reared its gigantic form on high, rich in stately architecture, in
glorious adornments of precious marbles, and glowing in golden
decorations. On one side the lofty walls of the Coliseum arose; beyond,
the stupendous dome of the Temple of Peace; and on the other the
Capitoline Hill upraised its historic summit, crowned with a cluster of
sta