VINICIUS went directly to the house in which Miriam lived. Before the gate he
met Nazarius, who was confused at sight of him; but greeting the lad cordially, he
asked to be conducted to his mother's lodgings.
Besides Miriam, Vinicius found Peter, Glaucus, Crispus, and Paul of Tarsus, who
had returned recently from Fregellae. At sight of the young tribune, astonishment
was reflected on all faces; but he said, -- "I greet you in the name of Christ, whom
ye honor." "May His name be glorified forever!" answered they.
"I have seen your virtue and experienced your kindness, hence I come as a
friend."
"And we greet thee as a friend," answered Peter. "Sit down, lord, and partake of
our refreshment, as a guest."
"I will sit down and share your repast; but first listen to me, thou Peter, and thou
Paul of Tarsus, so that ye may know my sincerity. I know where Lygia is. I have
returned from before the house of Linus, which is near this dwelling. I have a
right to her given me by Caesar. I have at my houses in the city nearly five
hundred slaves. I might surround her hiding-place and seize her; still I have not
done so, and will not."
"For this reason the blessing of the Lord will be upon thee, and thy heart will be
purified," said Peter.
"I thank thee. But listen to me further: I have not done so, though I am living in
suffering and sadness. Before I knew you, I should have taken her undoubtedly,
and held her by force; but your virtue and your religion. though I do not profess it,
have changed something in my soul, so that I do not venture on violence. I know
not myself why this is so, but it is so; hence I come to you, for ye take the place
of Lygia's father and mother, and I say to you: Give her to me as wife, and I
swear that not only will I not forbid her to confess Christ, but I will begin myself to
learn His religion."
He spoke with head erect and decisively; but still hc was moved, and his legs
trembled beneath his mantle. When silence followed his words, he continued, as
if wishing to anticipate an unfavorable answer, -- "I know what obstacles exist,
but I love her as my own eyes; and though I am not a Christian yet, I am neither
your enemy nor Christ's. I wish to be sincere, so that you may trust me. At this
moment it is a question of life with me, still I tell you the truth. Another might say,
Baptize me; I say, Enlighten me. I believe that Christ rose from the dead, for
people say so who love the truth, and who saw Him after death. I believe, for I
have seen myself, that your religion produces virtue, justice, and mercy, -- not
crime, which is laid to your charge. I have not known your religion much so far. A
little from you, a little from your works, a little from Lygia, a little from
conversations with you. Still I repeat that it has made some change in me.
Formerly I held my servants with an iron hand; I cannot do so now. I knew no
pity; I know it now. I was fond of pleasure; the other night I fled from the pond of
Agrippa, for the breath was taken from m~ through disgust. Formerly I believed in
superior force; now I have abandoned it. Know ye that I do not recognize myself.
