Let the veil lie drawn tenderly over the poor father's sorrow. It is sufficient to say that everything was done for his beloved one and his home that could be done before Pathema and her faithful servant left. The mourner's gratitude, deep and full, was their comfort and reward. "My mistress," said Miriam, in an entreating respectful voice as they turned towards the city in weary sad silence, "thou art much in need of rest; wilt thou not proceed home, for the gathering of our people will be well-nigh broken up ere we pass by?" Miriam was wise and good, she loved her mistress fervently, and was trusted and treated as a companion, not as a liberated slave. "We pass the door, my Miriam, and it would be a rest to turn aside and listen to the life-giving Word," answered Pathema, looking tenderly into the devoted woman's tired face; "yet for thy sake, thy needful release, I shall go on with thee." "No, my mistress, no,--thy desire is good and right." The Church of the Triple Arch was not far away, and the two plodded patiently and trustfully back into the city, thinking not of any danger that might come. Their day's work was done--hard and heart-trying, yet beautiful, and as an exercise of mercy, beneficial to subject as well as object, for "there is that scattereth and yet increaseth." Good were it for the world if all mankind did their possible and necessary share. The moon shone high and clear in the star-lit temple of the sky. The night was calm, and nothing broke the stillness save the discordant, mocking cry of a laughing hyena far behind, with an occasional, distant shout rising from the city in front. As they emerged from the olive-grove, the pet white dove, pursued by a swift-winged night-hawk, swept like an arrow across their track, as if an omen of coming trouble. CHAPTER III STILL ON THE WATCH. Demonicus and Timon stood at the open door of the Christian church, not far from the Triple Arch of the city wall, listening to the voice of the shepherd Orestes, and eagerly watching for something whereby they might seize him and certain others. But Demonicus, _sycophantes_, constable, and gladiator all in one, was irritated, for the prize had not yet arrived; and as the time sped on, his tiger-nature exhibited itself in low growls at his calmer companion. "Another day," snarled he, "and the case will have turned into other hands." "I do not despair," replied Timon, "and yet, to be frank, I almost repent--it seems a shame to lay hands on such a woman." "Art thou, my brave Timon, also becoming a meek and beautiful Christian?" said Demonicus with a sneer. Annoyed at the tone, Timon answered firmly--"The lady's life is a blessing to Patara." "Soft one, weak one, coward!" hissed Demonicus. "The lady is a goddess!" cried Timon, galled into defiance, "and the coward is he that would lay foul hands upon her." "Draw! defend thyself!" roared Demonicus, and the two men faced each other with drawn swords and glaring eyes.