“Titus destroyed the city as being a center of Jewish sedition,” remarked Crispus. “But these persons repudiate the Jewish religion. They are Christians with no wish for an independent kingdom. Acknowledging the authority of Rome, they will be a hindrance to rebellion, and a source of strength to us.” “Humph! I doubt whether Titus will agree to their settling here.” “His cousin, Flavius Clemens, would. Thou knowest that he is a Christian.” “Flavius Clemens is not Cæsar.” “But his two sons may become Cæsars, seeing that Vespasian has nominated them as his heirs next after Titus and Domitian, who, as you know, are both childless. You and I may yet live, Rufus, to see a Christian Cæsar on the throne, and a Cæsar who will know how to reward any favor shown to this little community here.”[38] There was something in this argument, and Rufus thought he might as well have an eye to the future. To him, personally, it was a matter of indifference whether the Christians remained or withdrew; his only wish was not to be embroiled with Titus. “Christians,” said Rufus meditatively. “Humph! well,” he added, turning to Crispus, “since you warrant them to be orderly, and innocent of any innovation against Rome, let them, if they will, remain and build. Titus hath not actually said aught to the contrary.” Thus had the saints returning from Pella good cause to bless the day when they received among them the heathen and proscribed fugitive Crispus; for, thanks to his good offices, they were permitted to remain, and by their daily worship in the Cænaculum to carry on the historic continuity of the Church of Jerusalem. CHAPTER XXVI JUSTICE THE AVENGER It was a lovely sunny morning in April as Crispus and Rufus strolled along the sands in the vicinity of Cæsarea-by-the-sea. “Have you seen the new coin struck by Titus to commemorate his conquest?” asked Rufus; and, being answered in the negative, he drew forth a sesterce, and exhibited it to the gaze of Crispus. The obverse of the coin bore the laureated head of Titus; the reverse, a graceful palm-tree, at the foot of which sat the weeping figure of a woman, emblematic of Judæa; behind the palm stood Titus in a military uniform, with his foot on a helmet, holding in his right hand a lance, and in his left a sword. The words JUDÆA CAPTA formed the legend. “This weeping figure is obviously intended as a portrait of Berenice,” remarked Crispus in some surprise. “Just so. ’Tis said that Titus, happening to see Berenice sitting beneath a palm weeping, or pretending to weep, for her country, was so struck by the sight that he ordered the Master of the Mint at Cæsarea to immortalize her figure and attitude in the issue of commemorative coins.” “Did Berenice have aught to say on the matter?” “She was not averse to it.”