"Tell me where my sons are," she begged. "I will go to them!" The messenger looked piercingly at her. He, a Christian, had risked much to bring her this message. Dare he trust this woman, known to be a devout worshiper of Egypt's gods? Would she not betray the fleeing Christians? "What is it, my mother?" he asked gently.--See page 37. "Tell me where my sons are!" besought the mother with tears. "Oh, tell me! I cannot lose them! What is my home to me without them? I will not betray any Christian! Only tell me; and let me see my sons again!" Then the messenger saw in the mother's eyes that she spoke truthfully, but he said, "How can I trust thee?" "I swear by Isis!" implored the mother. "Nay," returned, the messenger gravely, "it is not meet that a Christian should bind any one by a heathen oath." The mother cried out, and besought him, declaring that she would depart from Alexandria, if her sons could not dwell there. "They cannot, except they risk death," stated the messenger "Thou knowest Timokles' life is forfeit. Knowest thou not how many Christians have fled, and what torments Christians who have been brought here from all Egypt have suffered? Wouldst thou thy two sons should suffer in like manner?" "I will go into exile with them," answered the woman. "How wilt thou leave this, thy beautiful home?" asked the messenger. "I will leave it in the care of my kinsmen," she replied. "It may never be thine again," warned the messenger. "Hear me, O Christian!", cried the mother passionately "I know not the Christians' God, but the Emperor Severus shall not take away my sons! I care not if he takes my home!" "Come then with us," answered the messenger. "I trust thee! May the Christian's God cause thee to know Him!" That day there passed through Alexandria's streets a chariot drawn by two mules. Seated in the chariot a lady and a child rode in state. The charioteer was only a small lad. Out of the city by the eastern gate, as they had passed so many times before, Cocce and her mother rode. Who would hinder so devout worshipers of the gods from taking a pleasure drive? Alexandria knew nothing yet of Heraklas' defection. When Alexandria was some distance behind, the lady spoke. "Stop the chariot," she commanded. The young lad obeyed. The woman and child descended to the road. "I would walk," said the woman. "Drive thou home again, and say thou naught. See, here is something for thee." She gave him some money. The lad did as he was bidden. The mother of Heraklas had known whom to choose for her charioteer this day. The chariot receded. It passed out of sight. A distance away from the road, a man rose and beckoned. It was the messenger of the morning, disguised, as a beggar. They went northerly toward the sea. The mother's straining eyes looked ever forward. How if the Christians had been discovered! How long the way was! A faintness seized upon her as they neared the sea. What if her sons were not there? She hurried forward.