Part Two, Chapters XII - XIV Summary

War begins and rumors fly. The economy of the area is devastated, and Pappas and Elisha are forced to curtail their expenses and move to smaller apartments. The two friends differ on their beliefs about the Roman empire, with Elisha defending it at every turn. At first the Romans are defeated in the battles, but reinforcements arrive, and with them, the plague. Elisha confines himself to the library of the museum and tries to continue his studies. One day as he returns to his apartment, Manto's maid meets him with the news that Manto is dying. In their last conversation, Manto makes Elisha promise that he will never let anything get in his way of completing his great project. He makes the vow to her, and she dies in his arms.

In the...