“Why?” asked his wife.
“Because it is as well that none should know what guests we have till they are gone again.”
“Until they are gone again!” repeated Julia, astonished. “Surely you would not drive this maid, who has become to us as our daughter, from your door?”
“Yes, I would, wife, for that dear maid’s sake,” and he took Miriam’s little hand in his great palm and pressed it. “Listen now,” he went on, “Miriam, the Jewish captive, has dwelt in our care these many months, has she not, as is known to all, is it not? Well, if any one wants to find her, where will they begin by looking?”
“Aye! where?” echoed Nehushta.
“Why should any one wish to find her?” asked Julia. “She was bought in the slave-market for a great price by the lord Marcus, who, of his own will, has set her at liberty. Now, therefore, she is a free woman whom none can touch.”
“A free woman!” answered Gallus with scorn. “Is any woman free in Rome upon whom Domitian has set his mind? Surely, you Christians are too innocent for this world. Peace now, for there is no time to lose. Julia, do you cloak yourself and go seek that high-priest of yours, Cyril, who also loves this maid. Tell the tale to him, and say that if he would save her from great dangers he had best find some secret hiding-place among the Christians, for her and her companion, until means can be found to ship them far from Rome. What think you of that plan, my Libyan friend?”
“I think that it is good, but not good enough,” answered Nehushta. “I think that we had best depart with the lady, your wife, this very hour, for who can tell how soon the dogs will be laid upon our slot?”
“And what say you, maid Miriam?” asked Gallus.
“I? Oh! I thank you for your thought, and I say—let us hide in any place you will, even a drain or a stable, if it will save me from Domitian.”