The Pontiff raised him up kindly, and pressed him to his bosom, saying, “Welcome back, my son, whoever thou art, to thy Father’s house. But thou art weak and faint, and needest rest.”
Some refreshment was immediately procured. But Torquatus would not rest till he had publicly avowed the whole of his guilt, including the day’s crimes; for it was still the evening of the same day. All rejoiced at the prodigal’s return, at the lost sheep’s recovery. Agnes looked up to heaven from her last affectionate glance on the blind virgin’s shroud, and thought that she could almost see her seated at the feet of her Spouse, smiling, with her eyes wide open, as she cast down a handful of flowers on the head of the penitent, the first-fruits of her intercession in heaven.
Jesus cures the Blind Man, from a picture in the Cemetery of St. Domitilla.
Diogenes and his sons took charge of him. An humble lodging was procured for him, in a Christian cottage near, that he might not be within the reach of temptation, or of vengeance, and he was enrolled in the class of penitents, where years of expiation, shortened by the intercession of confessors—that is, future martyrs—would prepare him for full re-admission to the privileges he had forfeited.[158]
CHAPTER XIX.
TWOFOLD REVENGE.
Early next morning Sebastian was with Pancratius. “My dear boy,” he said, “you must leave Rome instantly, and go into Campania. I have horses ready for you and Quadratus; and there is no time to be lost.”
“And why, Sebastian?” replied the youth, with sorrowful face and tearful eye. “Have I done something wrong, or are you doubtful of my fortitude?”
“Neither, I assure you. But you have promised to be guided by me in all things, and I never considered your obedience more necessary than now.”