Timon, similarly clad, was only a man of ordinary strength; but he was lithe, self-willed and shrewd, with a streak of courtesy and sympathy. Camels, bullocks, horses, mules and wagons were passing by--a picturesque train of noisy, dusty movement on an unpaved street--while now and again a carriage or a litter appeared, whose occupants were considered either arrogant, or effeminate. "Her carriage must have passed," said Demonicus savagely. "It cannot be," replied Timon civilly; "the lady, though unfettered by custom, rarely takes her carriage; she usually passes on foot shortly after the morning meal, and I came here to watch in ample time." "We must arrest her to-day on some pretext or other," muttered Demonicus. "I shall dog her steps everywhere, and if I cannot get a good excuse I shall invent one. The bribe," added he with an impatient gesture, "is too tempting for more delay." Timon, though also grasping, was not heart and soul with Demonicus. When on the watch alone he had had time to reflect, and his better nature would now and again assert itself, as there stole over his vision a beautiful figure with a noble work in hand. He wanted the prize but was not in hot haste to win it, and while it seemed judicious it also felt agreeable to suggest delay. After a brief silence he remarked-- "There is to be a special gathering of the Christians in the Church of the Triple Arch to-night. The bishop is away at Myra. But Orestes, the shepherd, is to be present, and I promise thee something will be said that will give us a plausible backing; his words are plain, ay even bold as the cliffs of Mount Taurus, where he dwells. Should we not wait till then, Demonicus?" "I shall not," answered he, stamping his heavy, sandalled foot viciously; "it would be our last chance, and the woman might not be there." "The lady is sure to be," rejoined Timon, "she is the spirit of the whole movement." Demonicus paced about reflecting, and having cooled down, he mumbled,--"I shall see, but I shall miss no chance before." Timon now stepped out and looked along the street, then turning immediately round to his companion with a hesitating, half-regretful look, he whispered-- "She is coming!" The face of Demonicus glowed with an evil flame, as he went forward quickly to assure himself. The lady with her attendant, a liberated female slave, was seen approaching on foot, and both men retreated into the recess and waited. CHAPTER II. A MINISTERING ANGEL. Pathema, the eldest daughter of a prosperous merchant, walked with her servant Miriam through the crowded street, heedless or unconscious of danger; then passing two pairs of eyes directed towards her veiled face, she turned at right angles into the Stenos, a short quiet street leading towards the river Xanthus.