"Next to her is Hermione, and Octavia, widow of Aureus Cantus and her
son. All three are there!"
The laugh of the Moor was hideous in its coarseness. The young girls
shivered and drew closer to Octavia.
"Fear not," Octavia whispered, smiling at them. God had given her
great courage.
It was on this day that Alyrus, growing more confidential, told Lycias
of the vessel lying in the River Tiber, ready to set sail as soon as
he and Sahira went on board.
"I have only to show them the symbol," he quoted, "and the sailors and
officers are subject to my orders."
That evening, the gladiator went to the cave, and finding Lidia with
her father, ate the supper of coarse bread and goat's cheese with
them.
"Thou art accounted of much wisdom," he said to Lidia, "thy little
head hath been ever steady on thy shoulders. Tell us what to do."
"I am only a kitchen-maid," Lidia replied, blushing at the compliment,
"but I should think that we might do thus."
And a plan was made to their satisfaction, a very difficult plan
involving great danger for all of them, perhaps death to Lycias and
Lucius.
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