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with coloured marble.
Afterwards a morning meal was served for Verronax and for the elder
AEmilius, who intended to accompany him on his sad journey to
Bordigala, where the King and the father of Odorik were known to be
at the time. Sidonius, who knew himself to have some interest with
Euric, would fain have gone with them, but his broken health rendered
a rapid journey impossible, and he hoped to serve the friends better by
remaining to console the two women, and to endeavour to collect the
wehrgeld in case it should be accepted.
The farewells, owing to the Roman dignity of AEmilius and the proud
self-respect of the Arvernian, were more calm than had been feared.
Even thus, thought Sidonius, must Vercingetorix have looked when he
mounted his horse and rode from his lines at Alesia to save his people,
by swelling Caesar's triumph and dying beneath the Capitol. Oh,
ABSIT OMEN! Columba was borne up by hopes which Verronax
would not dash to the ground, and she received his embrace with
steadfast, though brimming eyes, and an assurance that she would pray
without ceasing.
Lucius was not to be found, having no doubt gone forward, intending to
direct his friend on his journey, and there part with him; but the saddest
part of the whole was the passionate wailings and bemoanings of the
remnants of his clan. One of his attendants had carried the tidings; wild
Keltic men and women had come down for one last sight of their
Fearnagh MacFearccadorigh, as they called him by his true Gaulish
name--passionately kissing his hands and the hem of his mantle,
beating their breasts amid howls of lamentation, and throwing
themselves in his path, as, with the high spirit which could not brook to
be fetched as a criminal, he made his way to the gate.
Mounted on two strong mules, the only animals serviceable in the
mountain paths, the Senator and Verronax passed the gate, Marcus
walking beside them.

"We are beforehand with the Goth," said Verronax, as he came out.
"Lazy hounds!" said Marcus. "Their sentinels have vanished. It would
serve them right if thou didst speed over the border to the
Burgundians!"
"I shall have a laugh at old Meinhard," said Verronax. "Little he knows
of discipline."
"No doubt they have had a great lyke wake, as they barbarously call
their obsequies," said the Senator, "and are sleeping off their liquor."
"We will rouse them," said the Arvernian; "it will be better than
startling poor Columba."
So on they moved, the wildly-clad, barefooted Gauls, with locks
streaming in the wind, still keeping in the rear. They reached the long,
low farm-buildings belonging to Deodatus, a half-bred Roman Gaul,
with a large vineyard and numerous herds of cattle. The place was
wonderfully quiet. The Goths seemed to be indulging in very sound
slumbers after their carouse, for nothing was to be seen but the slaves
coming in with bowls of milk from the cattle. Some of them must have
given notice of the approach of the Senator, for Deodatus came to his
door with the salutation, "AVE CLARISSIME!" and then stood staring
at Verronax, apparently petrified with wonder; and as the young chief
demanded where was Meinhard, he broke forth--
"Does his nobility ask me? It is two hours since every Goth quitted the
place, except the dead man in the house of the widow Dubhina, and we
are breathing freely for once in our lives. Up they went towards the
AEmilian villa with clamour and threats enough to make one's blood
run cold, and they must be far on their way to Bordigala Gergovia by
this time."
"His nobility must have passed through their midst unseen and
unheard!" cried old Julitta, a hardworking, dried-up woman, clasping
her sinewy, wrinkled hands; "a miracle, and no wonder, since our holy
Bishop has returned."

The excitable household was on the point of breaking out into
acclamation, but Verronax exclaimed: "Silence, children! Miracles are
not for the bloodguilty. If it be, as I fear, they have met Lucius and
seized him in my stead, we must push on at once to save him."
"Meinhard could not mistake your persons," returned AEmilius; but
while he was speaking, a messenger came up and put into his hand one
of the waxen tablets on which notes were written--
L. AEM. VIC. TO M. AEM. VIC. S. Q.,--Pardon and bless thy son.
Meinhard assures me that I shall be accepted as equal in birth and
accessory to the deed. Remember Columba and the value of Verronax's
life, and let me save him. Consent and hold him back. Greet all the dear
ones.--VALE.
The little tablet could hold no more than this--almost every word
curtailed. The Senator's firm lip quivered at last as he exclaimed, "My
brave