not believe him, and were justified in refusing belief. Moreover, he
might have done that before. Instead of hunting for Lygia, he might
have gone to Pomponia and sworn to her that he renounced pursuit, and in
that case Pomponia herself would have found Lygia and brought her home.
No; he felt that such promises would not restrain them, and no solemn
oath would be received, the more since, not being a Christian, he could
swear only by the immortal gods, in whom he did not himself believe
greatly, and whom they considered evil spirits.

He desired desperately to influence Lygia and her guardians in some way,
but for that there was need of time. For him it was all-important to
see her, to look at her for a few days even. As every fragment of a
plank or an oar seems salvation to a drowning man, so to him it seemed
that during those few days he might say something to bring him nearer to
her, that he might think out something, that something favorable might
happen. Hence he collected his thoughts and said,--

"Listen to me, Christians. Yesterday I was with you in Ostrianum, and I
heard your teaching; but though I did not know it, your deeds have
convinced me that you are honest and good people. Tell that widow who
occupies this house to stay in it, stay in it yourselves, and let me
stay. Let this man [here he turned to Glaucus], who is a physician, or
at least understands the care of wounds, tell whether it is possible to
carry me from here to-day. I am sick, I have a broken arm, which must
remain immovable for a few days even; therefore I declare to you that I
will not leave this house unless you bear me hence by force!"

Here he stopped, for breath failed in his breast, and Crispus said,--"We
will use no force against thee, lord; we will only take away our own
heads."