Volume I Part 3 (1/2)
The persons a.s.sembled also seemed not to have met there for the first time; the gloom of the place made little impression upon them.
Indifferently they leaned against the walls of the dismal semi-circular room, which, scantily lighted by a hanging lamp of bronze, formed the termination of the low pa.s.sage. Indifferently they heard the drops of damp fall from the roof to the floor, or, when their feet now and then struck against white and mouldering bones, they calmly pushed them to one side.
Besides Silverius, there were present a few other orthodox priests, and a number of aristocratic Romans, n.o.bles of the Western Empire, who had remained for centuries in almost hereditary possession of the higher dignities of the state and city.
Silently and attentively they observed the movements of the archdeacon; who, after having mustered those present, and thrown several searching glances into the neighbouring pa.s.sages--where might be seen, keeping watch in the gloom, some youths in clerical costume--now evidently prepared to open the a.s.sembly in form.
Yet once again he went up to a tall man who leaned motionless against the wall opposite to him, and with whom he had repeatedly exchanged glances; and when this man had replied to a questioning gesture by a silent nod, he turned to the others and spoke.
”Beloved in the name of the triune G.o.d! Once again are we a.s.sembled here to do a holy work. The sword of Edom is brandished over our heads, and King Pharaoh pants for the blood of the children of Israel. We, however, do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, we fear much more those who may destroy both body and soul in h.e.l.l-fire. We trust, during the terrors of night, to His help who led His people through the wilderness, in the day by a cloud of smoke, at night by a pillar of fire. And to this we will hold fast: that what we suffer, we suffer for G.o.d's sake; what we do, we do to the honour of His name. Thanks to Him, for He has blest our zeal. Small as those of the Gospel were our beginnings, but we are already grown like a tree by the fresh water-springs. With fear and trembling we first a.s.sembled here; great was our danger, weak our hope; n.o.ble blood of the best has been shed; to-day, if we remain firm in faith, we may boldly say that the throne of King Pharaoh is supported on reeds, and that the days of the heathen are counted in the land.”
”To business!” interrupted a young man with short curly black hair and brilliant black eyes. Impatiently he threw his _sagum_ (or short cloak) back over his right shoulder, so that his broad sword became visible.
”To business, priest! What shall be done to-night?”
Silverius cast a look at the youth, which, with all its unctuous repose, could not quite conceal his lively dissatisfaction at such bold independence. In a sharp tone of voice he continued:
”Those who do not believe in the holiness of our aim, should not, were it only for the sake of their own worldly aims, try to disturb the belief of others in its sanct.i.ty. But to-night, my Licinius, my hasty young friend, a new and highly welcome member is to be added to our league; his accession is a visible sign of the grace of G.o.d.”
”Who will you introduce? Are the conditions fulfilled? Do you answer for him unconditionally, or have you other surety?” So asked another of those present, a man of ripe years with regular features, who, a staff between his feet, sat quietly on a projection of the wall.
”I answer for him, my Scaevola; besides, his person? is sufficient----”
”Nothing of the sort. The statutes of our league demand surety, and I insist upon it,” said Scaevola quietly.
”Good, good; I will be surety, toughest of all jurists!” repeated the priest with a smile.
He made a sign towards one of the pa.s.sages to the left.
From thence appeared two young _ostiarii_ (doorkeepers), leading a man into the middle of the vault, upon whose covered head all eyes were fixed. After a pause, Silverius lifted the cover from the head and shoulders of the new comer.
”Albinus!” cried the others, in surprise, indignation, and anger.
Young Licinius grasped his sword; Scaevola slowly rose; confused exclamations sounded from all sides.
”What! Albinus, the traitor?”
The reviled man looked shyly about him; his relaxed features announced inborn cowardice; as if beseeching help he turned his eyes towards the priest.
”Yes, Albinus!” said the latter quietly, thus appealed to. ”Will any one of the colleagues speak against him? Let him speak.”
”By my Genius!” cried Licinius, before any one could reply, ”needs it to be told? We all know who and what Albinus is. A cowardly shameful traitor”--anger suffocated his voice.
”Invectives are no proof,” interposed Scaevola. ”But I ask himself; he shall confess here before us all. Albinus, was it you, or was it not, who, when the existence of our league was betrayed to the tyrant and you alone were accused, looked quietly on and saw the n.o.ble Boethius and Symmachus, our confederates, because they defended you against the tyrant, despoiled of their fortune, persecuted, taken prisoners and executed; while you, the really accused, saved yourself by taking a shameful oath that you would never more trouble yourself about the state, and by suddenly disappearing? Speak, was it you for whose sake the pride of our fatherland fell?”
A murmur of indignation went through the a.s.sembly. The accused remained dumb and trembled; even Silverius lost countenance for a moment.
Then the man who was leaning against the wall opposite, raised himself and took a step forward; his mere vicinity seemed to embolden the priest, who again began:
”Friends, what you say has happened, but not as you say it. Before all things, know this: Albinus is the _least_ to blame. What he did, he did by my advice.”
”By your advice!”
”You dare to confess it?”