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had
come to him from prehistoric ages. He had the short Roman sword in
his belt, and carried in his hand a long hunting-spear, without which he
seldom stirred abroad, as it served him both as alpenstock and as
defence against the wolves and bears of the mountains. Behind him
stalked a magnificent dog, of a kind approaching the Irish wolfhound, a
perfect picture of graceful outline and of strength, swiftness, and
dignity, slightly shaggy, and of tawny colouring--in all respects
curiously like his master.
In language, learning, and manners Verronax the Arvernian was,
however, a highly cultivated Roman, as Sidonius perceived in the first
word of respectful welcome that he spoke when presented to the
Bishop.

All had gone off well. Old Meinhard had been on the watch, and had
restrained any insult, if such had been intended, by the other Goths,
who had stood watching in silence the blessing of the fields and
vineyards of Deodatus.
The peril over, the AEmilian household partook cheerfully of the social
meal. Marina, the wife of Marcus, and Columba sat on carved chairs,
the men of the family reclining on the couches constructed to hold three.
The bright wit of Sidonius, an eminent conversationalist, shone the
more brightly for his rejoicing at his return to his beloved country and
flock, and to the friend of his youth. There were such gleams in the
storms that were overwhelming the tottering Empire, to which indeed
these men belonged only in heart and in name.
The meal was for a fast day, and consisted of preparations of eggs, milk,
flour, and fish from the mountain streams, but daintily cooked, for the
traditions of the old Roman gastronomy survived, and Marina, though
half a Gaul, was anxious that her housekeeping should shine in the eyes
of the Bishop, who in his secular days had been known to have a full
appreciation of the refinements of the table.
When the family rose and the benediction had been pronounced,
Columba was seen collecting some of the remnants in a basket.
"Thou surely dost not intend going to that widow of thine to-day,"
exclaimed her sister-in-law, Marina, "after such a walk on the
mountain?"
"Indeed I must, sister," replied Columba; "she was in much pain and
weakness yesterday, and needs me more than usual."
"And it is close to the farm of Deodatus," Marina continued to object,
"where, the slaves tell me, there are I know not how many fresh
barbarian guests!"
"I shall of course take Stentor and Athenais," said Columba.
"A pair of slaves can be of no use. Marcus, dost thou hear? Forbid thy

sister's folly."
"I will guard my sister," said Lucius, becoming aware of what was
passing.
"Who should escort her save myself?" said the graceful Verronax,
turning at the same moment from replying to some inquiries from the
Bishop.
"I doubt whether his escort be not the most perilous thing of all,"
sighed Marina.
"Come, Marina," said her husband good-humouredly, "be not always a
boder of ill. Thou deemest a Goth worse than a gorgon or hydra,
whereas, I assure you, they are very good fellows after all, if you stand
up to them like a man, and trust their word. Old Meinhard is a capital
hunting comrade."
Wherewith the worthy Marcus went off with his little son at his heels to
inspect the doings of the slaves in the farm-court in the rear, having no
taste for the occupation of his father and the Bishop, who composed
themselves to listen to a MS. of the letters of S. Gregory Nazianzen,
which Sidonius had lately acquired, and which was read aloud to them
by a secretary slave.
Some time had thus passed when a confused sound made the Senator
start up. He beheld his daughter and her escort within the lower court,
but the slaves were hastily barring the gates behind them, and loud
cries of "Justice! Vengeance!" in the Gothic tongue, struck his only too
well-accustomed ears.
Columba flung herself before him, crying--
"O father, have pity! It was for our holy faith."
"He blasphemed," was all that was uttered by Verronax, on whose dress
there was blood.

"Open the gates," called out the Senator, as the cry outside waxed
louder. "None shall cry for justice in vain at the gate of an AEmilius.
Go, Marcus, admit such as have a right to enter and be heard. Rise, my
daughter, show thyself a true Roman and Christian maiden before these
barbarians. And thou, my son, alas, what hast thou done?" he added,
turning to Verronax, and taking his arm while walking towards the
tribunal, where he did justice as chief magistrate of the Roman
settlement.
A few words told all. While Columba was engaged with her sick
widow, a young stranger Goth strolled up, one