The greater number of the citizens, and at their head the wealthy and proud, still crowded the heathen temples to serve the old gods and purchase their favor with offerings; still, the Christian churches were too small and few to hold the faithful, and these had risen to higher consideration, for the community no longer consisted exclusively of the lower rank of people and slaves.  No, men and women of the best families came streaming in, and this creed—­as was proclaimed by Demetrius, the eloquent bishop; by Origen, who in power and learning—­was the superior of any heathen philosopher; by the zealous Andreas, and many another chosen spirit—­this creed was the religion of the future.

The freedman had never yet lived in such a happy and elevated frame of mind; as he looked back on his past existence he often remembered with thankful joy the promise that the last should be first, and that the lowly should be exalted.  If the dead had risen from their graves before his eyes it would scarcely have surprised him, for in these latter days he had seen wonder follow on wonder.  The utmost his soul had so fervently desired, for which he had prayed and longed, had found fulfillment in a way which far surpassed his hopes; and through what blood and fear had the Lord led His own, to let them reach the highest goal!  He knew from the lady Euryale that his desire to win Melissa’s soul to the true faith had been granted, and that she craved to be baptized.  This had not been confirmed by the girl herself, for, attacked by a violent fever, she had during nine days hovered between life and death; and since then Andreas had for more than a week been detained in the town arranging affairs for Polybius.

The task was now ended which he had set himself to carry through.  He could leave the city and see once more the young people he loved.  He parted from Polybius and his sister at the garden gate, and led Heron and old Dido to a small cottage which his former master had given him to live in.

The gem-cutter was not to be allowed to see his children till the leech should give leave, and the unfortunate man could not get over his surprise and emotion at finding in his new home not only a work-table, with tools, wax, and stones, but several cages full of birds, and among these feathered friends a starling.  His faithful and now freed slave, Argutis, had, by Polybius’s orders, supplied everything needful; but the birds were a thought of the Christian girl Agatha.  All this was a consolation in his grief, and when the gem-cutter was alone with old Dido he burst into sobs.  The slave woman followed his example, but he stopped her with loud, harsh scolding.  At first she was frightened; but then she exclaimed with delight from the very bottom of her faithful heart, “The gods be praised!” and from the moment when he could storm, she always declared, Heron’s recovery began.

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The sun was setting when Andreas made his way to Zeno’s house—­a long, white-washed building.