Jovinian Part 7

At length his feet struck against a slab of stone. It was the facing of a tomb, which had never been placed in its intended position. This showed him that he was in a part of the galleries likely to be visited, and reminded him also that he might probably stumble over other similar impediments.

He sat down to rest, at the same time listening for a sound which might a.s.sist to guide him, should persons perchance be in any of the neighbouring galleries. He had sat thus for some time, and was on the point of moving onwards, when a faint cry reached his ear; it came from the direction towards which he had been proceeding, he had gone a few paces, when he saw a light streaming along the gallery, on the left. He hurried towards it. As he approached the spot from whence the light shone forth, he observed that it issued from a lantern held by a female, whom he recognised as Rufina. Another female was bending over a person who lay stretched on the ground. The first was Julia, the other Eugenia, whom she appeared to be endeavouring to restore to animation, uttering, at the same time, expressions of grief and endearment. "Oh, mother! mother! speak to me," she exclaimed. "Revive! the danger is over; we have escaped our pursuers, and are safe here!" So engaged were Julia and Rufina in their efforts to recall Eugenia to consciousness that they had not heard Jovinian approach. Rufina, her ear catching the sound of footsteps, at length perceived him. At first she cast towards him a look of alarm, but discovering who he was, she uttered an exclamation of joy. "Here is Jovinian, dear lady," she exclaimed; "your husband Severus cannot be far off, and we shall be able to escape from the wretches who were following us." From what Jovinian heard, he knew that Severus and his guide must still be wandering about the galleries, or else that they had been overtaken by some of the parties sent to capture them. Unwilling, however, to deprive his friends of the hopes Rufina had endeavoured to raise, he did not express his fears; but, kneeling down by the side of Eugenia, he tried to a.s.sist Julia and Rufina in restoring her to animation.

"There is a fountain near," he said; "I heard the sound of the water bubbling forth as I came along: very likely a cup or basin may have been left near it to enable pa.s.sers-by to drink; let me take the lantern, and I will quickly return."

"Oh, go! go!" said Julia; "we shall not fear to remain in darkness."

He was not disappointed in his expectations; a small metal cup was placed in a niche by the side of the rock, out of which the water bubbled forth, making its escape by some hidden course beneath the ground. This showed that the gallery must be frequently visited.

Jovinian hastened back with the cool liquid, with which Julia bathed her mother's brow and lips, pouring a small quant.i.ty down her throat.

Julia thanked him more by her looks than with her lips. "Oh, see! she is reviving now," she exclaimed.

After a short time Eugenia was able to sit up, and declared herself strong enough to proceed, should it be necessary.

"We are as safe here as in any other part of the gallery," observed Rufina. "Should any person approach, we can seek for shelter in one of the many pa.s.sages which turn off close to us."

Eugenia's first inquiry was for her husband.

"I trust that he is safe," answered Jovinian; and he then described how he had been parted from him. His answer appeared rather to increase than to calm Eugenia's alarm. Jovinian now inquired of Rufina what had caused them to take to flight; for he was unwilling to question either Julia or her mother, who was, indeed, little able to answer him.

"It was I who have been the instrument in G.o.d's hands of warning them of the dangers with which they were threatened, and of a.s.sisting them to escape from their heathen enemies," answered Rufina. "It happened in this wise: Eros had ventured forth, unwisely as it proved, from his hiding-place, when he was captured by some emissaries of your uncle Gaius. We mourned him as lost, feeling sure that his life would be sacrificed to the vengeance of the pontiff. We were not mistaken: he was doomed to be crucified. The night before he was to suffer, when it was believed by his guards that he would never again hold communication with his fellow-creatures, he sat with heavy chains on his legs and arms; they, either supposing him to be asleep, or not caring whether he heard or not, began to talk of various projects on foot; some of those, which only showed in what vile offices they were engaged, were matters of indifference to him. At length, however, they spoke of a design for the destruction of Gentia.n.u.s and Severus. They hoped to obtain a guide--one well acquainted with the galleries, a recreant to the faith of the Gospel--and by his means they felt sure of accomplis.h.i.+ng their object.

"What he heard brought deep grief to the heart of Eros. A slave bound in chains and expecting to die on the morrow, he could render no a.s.sistance to the n.o.ble patrician who was thus placed in such fearful jeopardy, and about whom I had so often spoken to him." Rufina then described how the life of Eros had been saved by the vestal Marcia. "As soon as he was at liberty," she continued, "he hastened to me, and told me what he had heard--I being better able to warn our friends than any one he knew. There was not a moment to be lost, he said, for that very day the a.s.sa.s.sins would set out on their search. Eros offered to accompany me; but this I declined, and hastened as fast as my feet would convey me to the entrance of the galleries. After much difficulty I found the ladies, Eugenia and Julia, with the patrician Gentia.n.u.s; I warned them of the approach of the a.s.sa.s.sins, entreating Gentia.n.u.s to fly with his daughter and Julia.

"'I should only impede them,' he answered. 'Rufina, I charge you conduct them to a place of safety; I will remain here; I am prepared for whatever Heaven will allow my enemies to do.'

"In vain we pleaded with him. He made his commands imperative on us.

'Seek for Severus, and warn him,' he added; 'his life is of more value than mine; he may still live to preach the Gospel and to exhort sinners to turn to the Saviour.' Again he charged us to fly, in a way we could not disobey; and Eugenia, who had ever implicitly followed his commands, taking Julia by the hand, accompanied me in the direction I considered the safest.

"Scarcely had we left the gallery when we heard the shouts of the a.s.sa.s.sins, as, led by their treacherous guide, they burst into the long-concealed chamber. I judged by their voices that they were expressing their disappointment at not discovering Severus. The guide, either knowing his way no farther, or having performed what he had undertaken, must have refused to lead them on, for they did not follow us, as I feared they would have done. I could not leave Eugenia and Julia, or I would have retraced my steps, and endeavoured to ascertain the direction they had taken. Judging by the sounds I heard, I believed that, dreading to remain in the gallery, they had endeavoured to regain the upper world."

Jovinian trusted that such might be the case; but greatly feared they were more likely to have gone in search of Severus. He offered to try and find his way to the abode of Gentia.n.u.s, if Rufina could give him sufficient directions. "I have been so many hours moving in the dark that I do not fear to make the attempt," he said, "and the lamp hanging to the roof, which it is not likely has been extinguished, will guide me when I approach the chamber."

Eugenia, deeply anxious to know what had occurred to her father, gladly accepted Jovinian's offer.

"Oh that I might go with, you!" said Julia, taking his hand.

"No," said Rufina; "it will be far safer for you to go alone." And she then proceeded to give him such directions as he believed would enable him to direct his course aright.

He set out, counting his steps, that he might not fail to know the distance he had traversed. More than once he stopped, fearing that he had missed his way; but, feeling the importance of his errand, he persevered in his endeavour, and so well did he remember his directions, that he made no mistake. At length he reached the entrance to the gallery which led to the chamber. It had been left open by Rufina, who had been unable to shut it, and at the farther end he saw the faint light of the lamp still burning. He stopped and listened. No sound reached his ear. He feared that the a.s.sa.s.sins, disappointed at not finding their chief victim, had wreaked their anger on the head of his aged father-in-law. He hurried forward as he approached the chamber, hoping to see Gentia.n.u.s still seated in his chair; but the chair was empty. In another minute he was kneeling beside the old man, who was stretched his length on the ground. Jovinian at first thought that Gentia.n.u.s was dead; but as he lifted up the head of his venerable friend, the few faint words uttered by Gentia.n.u.s showed him that he was still conscious.

"Have they escaped?" he asked; "have my beloved Eugenia and Julia been preserved from the daggers of the a.s.sa.s.sins? And Severus,--can you give me news of him, my son? or have their cruel weapons struck him down?"

Jovinian replied that he had but just left Eugenia and Julia, and trusted that Severus, being accompanied by the fossor, would have been enabled to conceal himself from the a.s.sa.s.sins, even should they have gone in pursuit of him. "But can I render you no aid?" he continued; "let me endeavour to staunch the blood which flows from your side."

"It is too late now," answered Gentia.n.u.s; "you must not attempt to move me. I know not how many daggers entered my body, though the hands of those who desired my death failed to strike home. I would forgive them, as I would also the relentless foe by whom they were despatched on their b.l.o.o.d.y errand. Hasten back, my son, and bring my beloved daughter and child; I would thankfully see them once more ere I die."

Jovinian rose to obey the commands of Gentia.n.u.s. As he did so he heard footsteps approaching. Stopping a moment, he recognised Severus and the fossor. "Heaven has sent you a.s.sistance!" he said, again kneeling down by the side of his wounded friend. Ere long Severus joined him, and they together endeavoured to ascertain the injuries received by the old man.

"It is useless," said Gentia.n.u.s; "you cannot for long prolong my life, and I am willing to depart, and to be with Christ. Go, Jovinian, summon my beloved daughter and her child; I would speak to them again ere my spirit wings its flight to Him who has gone before to prepare a place for me."

Severus, struck with horror at what he saw, had scarcely spoken, nor had he time to inquire by whom Gentia.n.u.s had been wounded; but the words he heard a.s.sured him that his wife and daughter were still safe.

Jovinian would have gone alone, but the old fossor, who carried a lantern, at a sign from Severus, accompanied him, and he was thus able, much more speedily than otherwise would have been the case, to return to where he had left his female friends.

He endeavoured to prepare Eugenia and Julia for what had occurred, his heart at the same time beating with grat.i.tude to Heaven for enabling them to escape the fearful danger to which they had been exposed. What had caused the a.s.sa.s.sins to retreat he could not tell; but he dreaded that they might return, and discover Severus. He resolved, therefore, to advise his friend to seek immediately some other place of concealment.

Gentia.n.u.s was still conscious when they regained the chamber; indeed, he appeared to have somewhat recovered his strength. His daughter and grandchild threw themselves down beside him, and a.s.sisted Severus in supporting his head.

"Do not mourn over me, my children," he said, taking Eugenia's hand.

"The days of my pilgrimage were naturally drawing to a close; G.o.d in His mercy has allowed them to be somewhat shortened, and has saved me from witnessing the result of the corruptions and errors which have crept in among our brethren at Rome in consequence of their departure from the clear teaching of the blessed Gospel. They having neglected the light which was in them, it is becoming darkness. I see it but too plainly,-- the greed of riches and power possesses the hearts of many of those who should have been the humble overseers of Christ's flock; and the presbyters and deacons but too willingly support them, for the sake of sharing the wealth they seek to acquire.

"Many rejoice that the emperor supports the Christians, and has bestowed worldly rank and dignity on the overseers and presbyters; but I warn you, my children, that he is a far greater foe to the true Church of Christ than those monarchs who have been deemed its greatest persecutors. Oh, let me charge you, my beloved ones, to cling closely to the simple Gospel! Be living stones of the temple of which Christ is the chief corner-stone! Let not Satan succeed in inducing you, with the offer of wealth, dignity, or honours, to depart from the truth.

Endeavour by G.o.d's grace to stem the tide, and never cease to protest against the errors and corruptions which have crept in among those who have a name to live, but are dead. Seek for guidance and direction with prayer and supplication, and, if you find that you cannot succeed, go to some other land, and preach the truth of the Gospel among its heathen inhabitants; ground them soundly in the faith, teaching them that there must be no compromise, that they must turn to the true G.o.d, and wors.h.i.+p Him in spirit and truth through Christ, abandoning all their idolatrous practices, that they must live as Christians lived in the apostolic days, not looking to emperors, or rulers, or men great in the world's eye for support, but to Christ the risen One alone."

"With G.o.d's grace I will follow your counsel," said Severus, to whom Gentia.n.u.s had stretched out his hand. Jovinian also took it, and with deep earnestness repeated the same words.

"Now, my children, I feel myself sinking. My beloved Eugenia, I leave you with confidence under the protection of Severus." Then, taking Julia's hand, he placed it in that of Jovinian. "May heaven give you life and strength, and may you, together, fight the good fight of faith, and prove a blessing to each other, as G.o.d, in His loving-kindness, has ordained that those united with His will shall ever be to one another."

Jovinian pressed Julia's hand. "With her, I promise, thankfully and joyfully, to obey your wishes," he said.

Thus were Jovinian and Julia betrothed.

The old man continued to address those grouped around him, while Rufina and the fossor kept watch at the two entrances to the chamber.

The voice of Gentia.n.u.s grew fainter and fainter. It ceased at last, and his children knew that his spirit had departed.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

DEPARTURE FROM ROME.

Although Severus would have gladly remained, and have spread the Gospel among the benighted inhabitants of the capital, he reluctantly determined to follow the counsel of his father-in-law, and the advice now given him by his friends, and to retire to a region on which he had long fixed his thoughts. It was among the western spurs of the Alps, where exists a series of secluded vales inhabited by an industrious and primitive population, and where the great apostle to the Gentiles had, it was said, converted many to the truth. Here, therefore, he would receive a welcome from many brethren in the faith, and be the means of aiding and supporting them, and yet further extending among the surrounding people the blessings of Christianity.

Instead of travelling by land--a long and tedious journey, with many steep and rugged pa.s.ses to traverse--he determined to embark at Ostia, from whence a pleasant voyage over the waters of the Mediterranean of three or four days, should the wind prove favourable, would enable him to reach the port at which he hoped to disembark.

Jovinian, on hearing his plans, entreated that he might be permitted to accompany him, although Amulius had offered the youth a home, should he have desired to remain in Rome and continue his studies. Severus gladly accepted Jovinian's offer to bear him company.

"I would not willingly have parted from you, my son," he said, "although I wished to leave you free to follow the bent of your own inclination.

I will also gladly a.s.sist you in the studies which you may desire to pursue."

Jovinian expressed his thanks--his only fear being that his uncle Gaius might attempt to detain him. He was aware that the pontiff, being his nearest relative, had some legal claim over him; and he knew too well also, even had such not been the case, that might often prevailed over right in Rome, as elsewhere. It was therefore settled that he should pa.s.s the time before the commencement of the journey with Severus and his family.

During their stay news reached the party in the catacombs of the events which had taken place at Rome: of the pontiffs' last unsuccessful effort to promote the cause of paganism; of the escape of the vestal Coelia; and of the strange and almost incredible report that Coecus himself had declared his readiness to embrace Christianity.

"Then the pontiff has already commenced his project for destroying the true faith which I heard discussed," observed Jovinian to Severus.