Suddenly a quick step was heard, and Marcellus entered. The occupants of the chapel sprang up with cries of joy. "Where is Pollio?" cried Caecilia eagerly. "I have not seen him," said Marcellus. "Not seen him! said Caecilia, and she fell back upon her seat. "Why? Is he beyond his time?" "He ought to have returned six hours ago, and I am sick with anxiety." "O there is no danger," said Marcellus soothingly. "He can take care of himself." He tried to pass it off with a careless tone, but his looks belied his words. "No danger!" said Caecilia. "Alas! we know too well what new dangers there are. Never has it been so dangerous as now." "What has delayed you, Marcellus? We had begun to give you up." "I was stopped near the Via Alba," said Marcellus. "I dropped my load and ran to the river. The crowd followed, but I jumped into the river and swam across. There I took a circuitous route among the streets on the opposite side, after which I came across again and reached this place in safety." "You had a narrow escape. A price is on your head." "Have you heard it?" "Yes, and much more. We have heard of the redoubled efforts which they are making to crush us. All through the day tidings of sorrow have been reaching us. We must rely more than ever on Him who alone can save us." "We can baffle them still," said Marcellus hopefully. "They watch our principal entrances," said Honorius. "Then we can make new ones. The openings are numberless." "They have offered rewards for all the prominent brethren." "What then? We will guard those brethren more carefully than ever." "Our means of living are gradually lessening." "But there are as many bold and faithful hearts as ever. Who is afraid to risk his life now? There will never cease to be a supply of food so long as we live in the Catacombs. If we escape pursuit we bring help to our brethren; if we die we receive the crown of martyrdom." "You are right, Marcellus. Your faith puts my fear to shame. How can those who live in the Catacombs be afraid of death? It is but a momentary gloom and it will pass. But this day we have heard much to distress our hearts and fill our spirits with dismay." "Alas," continued Honorius in a mournful voice, "how are the people scattered and the Churches left desolate! But a few months ago and there were fifty Christian churches within this city where the light of truth shone, and the sound of prayer and praise ascended to the Most High. Now they are overthrown, the people dispersed, and driven out of the sight of men." He paused, overcome by emotion, and then in a low and plaintive voice he repeated the mournful words of the eightieth psalm: