Chapter 18 - Page 2

"Learn composure, my good Appius. Herod may not be extremely polite to
him, but--but he will wait."

That odd man, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus, laughed silently
as the youth was leaving. He beckoned to a slave, who halted Appius
and turned him back.

"An escort will be on the campus at dawn," said the emperor. "I wish
you a pleasant journey and will write you when to return."

Now there had been no changes of moment in the palace of the Lady
Lucia, save one. The slave-girl, Cyran, had brought to Arria the
inspiration of a new faith. The sister of Appius had begun to try it
in secret prayers. Her mother had fallen ill of a deadly fever so that
none had hope of her recovery, and the girl had prayed, and, lo! her
prayer had been answered. Letters from Vergilius, full of the new
light in him, had confirmed her faith. And Arria confided to her
family and intimates knowledge of her devotion to the one God. Soon
the religion of Judea had become a topic of patrician Rome.

When Vergilius had left the capital, Antipater came every day for a
time to the palace of the Lady Lucia, and brought with him many
beautiful gifts. But Arria refused to see him or to accept the gifts
he had brought. Now the stubborn prince had faith that when he was
made king she would no longer be able to resist him. If he failed with
splendor, he was beginning to consider what he might do with power.

That day of the interview between youth and emperor a letter came to
Arria from her lover. It began as follows:

"DEAR LOVE,--It has been a day illumined with new honor and the praises
of a king. Now, before sleeping, I send these words to tell you that I
have not forgotten. Every day I think of you, and my love grows. I
see your face full of honor and the will to give all for me. Because
it is in you, I love honor beyond all my hope of it, and--that look in
your eyes--oh, it has made me to think gently and be kind! Now I tell
you of a wonderful thing--this feeling is the very seed of friendship.
The legate, the procurator, the high priest, and Herod himself, are my
friends. I had only the will to serve, and now they insist that I
shall command. After all, it is in no way remarkable--there be so few
here who forget themselves for the good of the service. It all leads
to a new and a great law--think of the good of others and you need have
no thought of yourself. Consider this, my beloved, if every man loved
a good woman as I love you a new peace would fill the world."

Then he told her of his discovery of David, the brother of Cyran, and
their friendship.