He would receive
no mercy, even though he had been the idol of the people but an hour
before and the air had rung with his praises. It would count him
little, if he were caught helping the victims to escape.
The soldier looked at him with staring eyes.
"The symbol of the chief-priest," he whispered. "In the name of
Jupiter, go by in peace, and may his wrath not fall upon me and mine."
A few paces more, and the light of air of the blessed day bathed them
in warmth and gave them courage.
The gladiator set Hermione on her feet and wiped his dripping
forehead.
"Barely escaped," he muttered.
No one was in this part of the street by the amphitheatre. All the
interest was in the interior. So great had been the number of
Christians that Octavia and the others in this little group had not
been missed.
Where they were going, they knew not; but that, for the moment, they
were safe, they all thankfully realized and that they owed it to this
big stranger with the honest face.
"Let us, for one moment, thank God for our deliverance," said Octavia.
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