'And I tell thee it is impossible.'
'Nothing is impossible to a soldier! Nothing shall be impossible to me! Let me pass to the wharves, or I will see the Tribune. Is he here?'
Chios claimed from the Tribune a right, as a free citizen, to pass to the port, which was granted.
He sent by boat a message to Lucius that he would speak with him, and a reply came back requesting the Greek to come at once.
They met; their hearts went out to each other. Were they not old and dear friends?
'What brings thee here, Chios? Art thou persecuted by this unseemly tumult?'
'No, Lucius. Not so. I came to plead for a helpless woman.'
'Who is she?'
'Saronia. Once thy slave—thy——'
'I cannot help thee.'