Then Onesimus confessed his love for Junia, and the wild hope which he still entertained that he might some day be accepted by her. Humbly he took the hand of Titus and kissed it, and said—
‘Forgive me; I will struggle on as best I may.’
‘Nay,’ said Titus; ‘I have not forgotten what you once did for me and Britannicus, though in that matter, too, you fell short afterwards. I never forget Britannicus,’ he added, sadly, and stood for a moment silent. ‘Listen,’ he said. ‘I know two people in Rome, besides Pudens, who are good and kind. One is my uncle, Flavius Sabinus; the other is Pomponia Græcina. I am sure that one of them would find some place for you. Acte has asked about you more than once, and was, I know, fond of you. But it would not be safe for you to enter Nero’s Palace again.’
‘Then let me serve the lady Pomponia, if I may.’
‘Follow me,’ said Titus; ‘I will see what I can do for you.’
Their way led towards the Capenian Gate, where the Appian Road enters the city. They had not proceeded far when they met a procession of humble people thronging round a band of soldiers, who were entering Rome in charge of several prisoners.
CHAPTER XLIII
A NOTABLE PRISONER
‘He that hath light within his own clear breast,
May sit i’ the centre, and enjoy bright day;
But he that hath a dark soul, and foul thoughts,