"Why did Ursus not defend her?"
"They sent fifty pretorians, and Linus forbade him."
"But Linus?"
"Linus is dying; therefore they did not seize him."
"What is thy intention?"
"To save her or die with her. I too believe in Christ."
Vinicius spoke with apparent calmness; but there was such despair in his voice that the heart of Petronius quivered from pure pity.
"I understand thee," said he; "but how dost thou think to save her?"
"I paid the guards highly, first to shield her from indignity, and second not to hinder her flight."