'Thou art safe, Saronia. Thou shalt go to Chios!'
At these words, fresh life came back, and she took the hand of the Proconsul in hers, and, looking into his face, she said:
'Tell me, is it all a dream, or am I mad?'
'No, thou art not mad or dreaming. What thou seest is real. The Temple of thy goddess will be bereft of its riches to adorn the golden house of Nero. This now is nothing to thee. As I have said, thou shalt go to Chios—to Chios! Rest tranquilly; I will guard thee. When evening settles down, I have means of escape for thee.'
He sent for wine and fruit and raiment. Having done this, he despatched two messengers, one to Endora (for Saronia wished it so) and another to Chios. He charged the soldiers:
'Bring the old woman from the cave on the top of yonder hill! Be careful no evil befall her, or thou wilt suffer.'
The night was now closing in, and fires were burning high upon the mountains and the plain, showing where the people had encamped, and on the stillness of the evening air ever and anon arose loud shouts and wailings.
'Who is that beautiful woman in yonder room?' said Acratus.
'That is naught to thee,' said the Proconsul.