The bystanders hurried to attend her. They carried her away to her own quarters. There they applied the customary restoratives and she revived. But the blow had struck heavily, and though sense and feeling returned, yet she seemed like one in a dream. Meanwhile the messenger had recovered strength and told all that he knew. "Pollio was with you, was he?" asked Marcellus. "No, he was alone." "On what errand?" "Finding out the news. I was on one side of the street a little behind. He was coming home. We walked on until we came to a crowd of men. To my surprise, Pollio was stopped and questioned. I did not hear what passed, but I saw their threatening gestures, and at length saw them seize him. I could do nothing. I kept at a safe distance and watched. In about half an hour a troop of Pretorians came along. Pollio was handed over to them, and they carried him away." "Pretorians?" said Marcellus. "Do you know the captain?" "Yes; it was Lucullus." "It is well," said Marcellus, and he fell into a deep fit of musing. CHAPTER XI. THE OFFER. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." It was evening in the Pretorian camp. Lucullus was in his room seated by a lamp which threw a bright light around. He was roused by a knock at the door. At once rising, he opened it. A man entered and advanced silently to the middle of the room. He then disencumbered himself of the folds of a large mantle in which he was dressed and faced Lucullus. "Marcellus!" cried the other in amazement, and springing forward he embraced his visitor with every mark of joy. "Dear friend," said he, "to what happy chance do I owe this meeting? I was just thinking of you and wondering when we should meet again." "Our meetings, I fear," said Marcellus sadly "will not be very frequent now. I make this one at the risk of my life." "True," said Lucullus, participating in the sadness of the other. "You are pursued, and there is a price on your head. Yet here you are as safe as you ever were in those happy days before this madness seized you. O, Marcellus why can they not return again?" "I cannot change my nature nor undo what is done. Moreover, Lucullus, although my lot may appear to you a hard one, I never was so happy." "Happy!" cried the other in deep surprise. "Yes, Lucullus, though afflicted I am not cast down; though persecuted I am not in despair." "The persecution of the emperor is no slight matter." "I know it well. I see my brethren fall before it every day. Every day the circle that surrounds me is lessened. Friends leave me and never appear again. Companions go up to the city, but when they return they are carried back dead to be deposited in their graves." "And yet you say you can be happy?" "Yes, Lucullus, I have a peace that the world knows nothing of; a peace that cometh from above, that passeth all understanding."