"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."—St. Matthew xi. 28.
A timid voice roused Taurus Antinor from his dream:
"My gracious lord, thy litter is here!"
He started as a man suddenly wakened from sleep, and once or twice his eyes closed and opened again ere they rested finally on the broad back bent in a curve before him.
"Methought my gracious lord was waiting," continued the speaker in the same timid voice, "and mayhap did not see the litter among the shadows."
"I fear me I was dreaming, my good Folces," said the praefect with a sigh, "for truly I did know that thou wast here. Is the girl Nola with thee?"
"Aye, gracious lord. She waits on thy pleasure, and thy bearers——"
"Nay, did I not tell thee that I would have no bearers?"
"The way is long, gracious lord——"
"I told thee that I would walk."