Chapter 6 - Page 2

many things I do not need to _say_ to
_you_."

The old emperor, leaning forward, touched the arm of the young man and
gave him a cunning glance.

"A cipher," he added, passing the sheet of vellum. "It will be known
to you and to me only. You will understand what I wish to know. You
shall have command of a cohort."

Vergilius thought for a second of that strange overhauling of Manius
the night before, and of the shrewdness of the great father in
returning him, kindly, to his task, with a pair of eyes to keep watch
of him.

"With all my heart I thank you," said the young knight. "But--my
beloved father--I was hoping to marry and--and know the path of peace."

"But I am sure you will wait two years--only two years," said the
other, rising with extended hands. "There is time enough; and
remember, whether to peace or war, your path is that of duty.
Farewell!"

It was a way he had of commanding, kindly but inexorable, and Vergilius
knew it. Again he spoke as the knight turned away.

"This young Antipater--do you know him?"

"Not well."

"But, possibly, well enough," said the emperor, with a knowing look.
Then, casually: "Oh, there is yet a little matter--that new king the
Jews are looking for--if he should come, I suppose he will report to
me, but--but let me know what you learn. Study the Jewish faith and
discover what this hope is founded upon." Then he turned quickly and
went away.

This "little matter" counted much with the shrewd emperor. Kings were
his puppets, and if there were to be a new one he must, indeed,
consider what to do with him. Yet he had shame of his interest in
"that foolish gossip" of an alien race. Therefore he put it only as a
trifling after-thought. But he had a way of talking with his eyes, and
the alert youth read them well.

That elation of the young lover now had its boundary of thoughtfulness.
Going down the Palatine, he was also descending his hill of happiness.
Below him, in the Forum, he could see the golden mile-stone of
Augustus, now like a pillar of fire in the sunlight; he could see the
beginning of those many roads radiating from it to far peripheries of
the empire. Tens of thousands had turned their backs upon it, leaving
with slow feet, some to live in distant, inhospitable lands, some to
die of fever and the sword, some to return forgotten of their kindred,
and some few with laurels of renown; but all of these many who went
away were leaving, for long or forever, love and home and peace.

"The army is sucking our blood, and Hate grows while Love is starving,"
Vergilius