“And you can swear that she is a pure-minded and well-conducted girl?”

Certainly, with the firmest conviction.”

“I saw her in the arena—­she is pretty, uncommonly charming indeed—­and Marcus...?”

“He has set his heart on the girl, and I am sure that his passion is sincere and unselfish.  On the other hand I need hardly remind you that in this city there are many women, even among those of the first rank, whose birth and origin are far more doubtful than those of your son’s little friend, for she, at any rate, is descended from free and respectable parents.  Her uncle’s connections are among the best families in Sicily; not that we need trouble ourselves about that, for the wife of Philip’s grandson would command respect even if she were only a freed-woman.”

“I know, I know,” murmured Mary, as though all this were of minor importance in her eyes; and then for some little time she remained silent.  At last she looked up and exclaimed in a voice that betrayed the struggle still going on in her soul: 

“What have I to care for but my child’s happiness?  In the sight of God we are all equal—­great and small alike; and I myself am but a weak woman, full of defects and sins—­but for all that I could have wished that the only son of a noble house might have chosen differently.  All I can say is that I must look upon this marriage as a humiliation laid upon me by the Almighty—­still, I give it my sanction and blessing, and I will do freely and with my whole heart if my son’s bride brings as her marriage-portion the one thing which is the first and last aim of all my desires:  The everlasting glory of Apelles.  The martyr’s crown will open the gates of Heaven to him—­who was your father, too, Demetrius.  Gain that and I myself will lead the singer to my son’s arms.”

“That is a bargain!” cried Demetrius—­and soon after midnight he had retired to rest, after seeing Mary fulfil her promise to give a parental blessing to the betrothed pair.

A few weeks later Dada and Gorgo were both baptized, and both by the name of Cecilia; and then, at Mary’s special entreaty, Marcus’ marriage was solemzed with much pomp by the Bishop himself.

Still, and in spite of the lavish demonstrations of more than motherly affection which the widow showered her daughter-in-law, Dada felt a stranger, and ill at ease in the great house in the Canopic way.  When Demetrius, a few weeks after their marriage, proposed Marcus that he should undertake the management of family estates in Cyrenaica, she jumped at the suggestion; and Marcus at once decided to act upon it when his brother promised to remain with him for the first year or two, helping him with his advice and instructions.