"I answer for him, my Scævola; besides, his person? is sufficient----"
"Nothing of the sort. The statutes of our league demand surety, and I insist upon it," said Scævola quietly.
"Good, good; I will be surety, toughest of all jurists!" repeated the priest with a smile.
He made a sign towards one of the passages to the left.
From thence appeared two young ostiarii (doorkeepers), leading a man into the middle of the vault, upon whose covered head all eyes were fixed. After a pause, Silverius lifted the cover from the head and shoulders of the new comer.
"Albinus!" cried the others, in surprise, indignation, and anger.
Young Licinius grasped his sword; Scævola slowly rose; confused exclamations sounded from all sides.
"What! Albinus, the traitor?"
The reviled man looked shyly about him; his relaxed features announced inborn cowardice; as if beseeching help he turned his eyes towards the priest.
"Yes, Albinus!" said the latter quietly, thus appealed to. "Will any one of the colleagues speak against him? Let him speak."