“That is so,” observed Tiberius Alexander, who had drawn near, and was inspecting the document, “and, therefore, it seems to me,” he added, jocularly, “that both Cæsar and the princess, by enslaving the wife of Crispus, have made themselves liable to the death penalty. Doubtless Vespasian will pardon the offenders, as they acted in ignorance. At any rate, Crispus is entitled to lead away his wife; and may good fortune attend him! The bravest man in the war has obtained the fairest woman for his bride; that is what I say, and who will controvert it?” he added, looking round upon the guests. “None! None!” was the answer that came from every side. Vashti’s romantic story appealed to every heart, save _one_; even those ladies who, a few minutes before, had been most opposed to her, now joined in the acclamations that greeted the happy pair thus strangely reunited. “Take me away,” whispered Vashti. “Anywhere, so that it be from here.” Crispus responded to her appeal. Drawing her arm within his own, he passed smilingly from the hall amid cries of “Long live the brave Crispus and his fair bride!” Miserable Berenice! Her bitterness of spirit at that moment received but little balm from Titus’ gay whisper, “There is now no obstacle to our union,” for she had known all along that the obstacle had never existed save in his own imagination. * * * * * In the moonlit gardens of the Prætorium Crispus and Vashti, seated in the very same spot where they had sat four years before, were holding a delightful conversation. Vashti was reclining within his embrace, her little hand resting within his. The early Christians were very human! “And to think that during all this time you have been my wife, and I knew it not. Why did you not reveal the truth earlier?” “Because, like yourself, I was bound to secrecy for three years.” “But that time limit had gone by when I rescued you from Jerusalem.” “True,” replied Vashti, the brightness of her face becoming dimmed for a moment by that mournful reminiscence, “but was that a time to be talking love and wedlock? I resolved to keep the secret till the siege should be over.” “I am not sure that you were right in doing so. The making it known would have saved you from the hands of Berenice. Tell me, how has she used you?” “Not ill, though she would taunt me at times with your name, and threaten to whip the Christianity out of me.” “But why did you not set yourself free earlier, by sending me the ring?” “Because she was always saying that she would give a grand entertainment at which I should serve as a slave while you should look helplessly on; she seemed to take such delight in the notion that I resolved to await the coming of this feast; it would furnish me with an excellent opportunity of asserting my freedom and of giving her a startling surprise.” “You have certainly succeeded in doing that, my little wife.”