--Antonius is to place the altar in the early dawn, and I wish to be
present."




CHAPTER IX.

Miriam's ears had not betrayed her. While she was detained at supper,
Hermas had opened the courtyard-gate; he came to bring the senator a
noble young buck, that he had killed a few hours before, as a thank-
offering for the medicine to which his father owed his recovery. It
would no doubt have been soon enough the next morning, but he could find
no rest up on the mountain, and did not--and indeed did not care to--
conceal from himself the fact, that the wish to give expression to his
gratitude attracted him down into the oasis far less than the hope of
seeing Sirona, and of hearing a word from her lips.

Since their first meeting he had seen her several times, and had even
been into her house, when she had given him the wine for his father, and
when he had taken back the empty flask. Once, as she was filling the
bottle which he held, out of the large jar, her white fingers had touched
his, and her enquiry whether he were afraid of her, or if not, why his
hands which looked so strong should tremble so violently, dwelt still
in his mind. The nearer he approached Petrus's house the more vehemently
his heart beat; he stood still in front of the gate-way, to take breath,
and to collect himself a little, for he felt that, agitated as he was, he
would find it difficult to utter any coherent words.

At last he laid his hand on the latch and entered the yard. The watch-