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Updated: June 24, 2025
The consul-major had received the precious parchment at the hands of the special messenger sent by the Cæsar himself: that messenger was none other than Folces, and he had stated positively that the praefect of Rome was dead. It was useless to demand that a man be proclaimed to the principate if that man be dead.
Dea Flavia turned to one of her own slaves and ordered the man to be brought to her presence in her studio where she would receive him. The man told the janitors that his name was Folces, that he belonged to the praefect of Rome and desired speech with the Augusta.
So, putting a kindly arm round the slender form of the child, she led her gently out of the main room to the tiny cubicle beyond, where she could rest. The three men were now left alone. Folces, squatting in a dark corner, kept his eyes fixed upon his master.
In the meanwhile we all are Taurus Antinor's slaves and must look after his houses until they have been sold." "Wilt be happy as a freedman, Folces?" "Yes, Augusta," replied the man simply, "for then I shall be at liberty to follow Taurus Antinor as his servant." She sat quite silently after this, her tear-stained eyes fixed into vacancy. Folces was on his knees waiting to be dismissed.
She rose from her knees, and hiding the small cross in the bosom of her gown, she drew forth the letter and read it through once more. "If only I knew!" she murmured. "If only I could understand!" After a while she bethought her of the slave Folces, the one human link left now between herself and the man whom she loved and who was gone from her.
It was some little while before she remembered his presence, then in a gentle voice she bade him go. "Shall I take a message back to my master?" he asked humbly. "I could find him, I think, if I had a message." "I have no message," she said; "go, good Folces." "We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." Half an hour later Dea Flavia Augusta was in the tablinium.
Had it not been for Folces and his devotion I might mayhap never have found thee. We came to Jerusalem yesterday. To-day at noon I saw thee starting forth from out the city. I followed thee, but the way was rough.... I feared I should never reach the summit ... and yet 'twas here I wished to speak to thee." All this while he had remained numb and silent.
Assuring himself that old Folces and the girl Nola were close at his heels, he stepped briskly along the now precipitous incline of the hill. The rapid movement did him good. The air came to him from across the gardens of the palaces, sweetly scented by late lilies and clumps of dying roses.
She had Nola by the hand who seemed comforted and rested. The praefect beckoned to Folces, who silently obeyed and came forward to the table. Then the five of them sat down and quietly partook of supper, sitting side by side, the disciple from Judæa and his mother, the two slaves and the praefect of Rome.
"Methought my gracious lord was waiting," continued the speaker in the same timid voice, "and mayhap did not see the litter among the shadows." "I fear me I was dreaming, my good Folces," said the praefect with a sigh, "for truly I did know that thou wast here. Is the girl Nola with thee?" "Aye, gracious lord. She waits on thy pleasure, and thy bearers "
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