"Beloved in the name of the triune God! Once again are we assembled here to do a holy work. The sword of Edom is brandished over our heads, and King Pharaoh pants for the blood of the children of Israel. We, however, do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, we fear much more those who may destroy both body and soul in hell-fire. We trust, during the terrors of night, to His help who led His people through the wilderness, in the day by a cloud of smoke, at night by a pillar of fire. And to this we will hold fast: that what we suffer, we suffer for God's sake; what we do, we do to the honour of His name. Thanks to Him, for He has blest our zeal. Small as those of the Gospel were our beginnings, but we are already grown like a tree by the fresh water-springs. With fear and trembling we first assembled here; great was our danger, weak our hope; noble blood of the best has been shed; to-day, if we remain firm in faith, we may boldly say that the throne of King Pharaoh is supported on reeds, and that the days of the heathen are counted in the land." "To business!" interrupted a young man with short curly black hair and brilliant black eyes. Impatiently he threw his _sagum_ (or short cloak) back over his right shoulder, so that his broad sword became visible. "To business, priest! What shall be done to-night?" Silverius cast a look at the youth, which, with all its unctuous repose, could not quite conceal his lively dissatisfaction at such bold independence. In a sharp tone of voice he continued: "Those who do not believe in the holiness of our aim, should not, were it only for the sake of their own worldly aims, try to disturb the belief of others in its sanctity. But to-night, my Licinius, my hasty young friend, a new and highly welcome member is to be added to our league; his accession is a visible sign of the grace of God." "Who will you introduce? Are the conditions fulfilled? Do you answer for him unconditionally, or have you other surety?" So asked another of those present, a man of ripe years with regular features, who, a staff between his feet, sat quietly on a projection of the wall. "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?"