"Look! look! Lucretia," he cries, one evening; "through the lower
city the flames are running like unbridled horses. There is danger
that all Rome may go to ashes."

For nine long days they watch the sweep of the lurid flames. The
light shines out like a signal torch, to mark an emperor's folly.
Then the undeserved charge that they have lit the flames brings on
the martyrdom of the Roman Christians. Sometimes Quintus and
Lucretia are able to soften the trials of the sufferers, by
permission of the capricious Nero. To old Chilo, the Grecian,
before he meets his doom, they unfold the promise of eternal reward
in the Father's house. The hope of immortality they carry to those
who go to the lions, at the emperor's whimsical command. And the
glorious company of martyrs passes singing to the skies, because of
their consoling words.

Down into the dungeon of the Mamertine they are permitted once to
go, to visit Paulus. But he needs not their consolation. Rather
he is the comforter. With the poise of a conqueror he bids them
not to mourn for him: he is going to the Lord in the unending life.
Over their bowed heads he stretches his aged hands, in apostolic
benediction. Soon ends his imprisonment. At _Tre Fontane_, in a
few days more, his weary body rests; but his immortal spirit mounts
beyond the stars.


At last the Christian knight comes to the crossing. The prediction
of the augur at Brundisium has been strikingly fulfilled. Matured
in all the graces, he is like the ripened Chian clusters that await