And as his fine countenance and well- knit frame testified, Marcus AEmilius Victorinus inherited no small share of genuine Roman blood.

" "That Heaven forbid!" said AEmilius.

Has this oath had the desired effect?" "There has been only one case since it was taken," replied AEmilius.

AEmilius capped it from AEschylus

Of the three men who were advancing, one, Marcus AEmilius, about seven or eight and twenty years of age, was much what the Senator must have been at his agesturdy, resolute, with keen eyes, and crisp, curled, short black hair.

"None shall cry for justice in vain at the gate of an AEmilius.

This was Meinhard, the head of the garrison on Deodatus's farm, a man well known to AEmilius, and able to speak Latin enough to hold communication with the Romans.

" "Right shall ye have, O Goths," returned AEmilius.

Didst thou behold it, O Meinhard, son of Thorulf?" "No, noble AEmilius.

"I have sworn!" said AEmilius in a clear low voice, steady but full of suppressed anguish.

" "So let it be, Meinhard," said AEmilius, in a stifled voice.

"I know AEmilius, and I know Verronax," returned the Goth.

The more civilised Goths, whose families had ranged Italy, Spain, and Aquitaine for two or three generations, made murder the matter of bargain that had shocked AEmilius; but this was an old man from the mountain cradle of the race, unsophisticated, and but lately converted.

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.

The farewells, owing to the Roman dignity of AEmilius and the proud self-respect of the Arvernian, were more calm than had been feared.

" "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.

He would have dashed onwards with feverish head-long speed, using his own fleet limbs when he could not obtain a horse, but AEmilius feared to trust him alone, lest, coming too late to rescue Lucius, he should bring on himself the fury of the Goths, strike perhaps in revenge, and not only lose his own life and render the sacrifice vain, but imperil many more.

By the time AEmilius and Verronax had reached the spot, and gained an entrance in virtue of their rank and concern in the matter, Euric sat enthroned in the midst of the assembly.

The King had evidently been explaining to him the terms of the Bishop's letter, for the first words that met the ear of AEmilius were "Nay, I say nay, King Euric.

" Meanwhile AEmilius had reached Euric, and had made him understand the substitution.

Old Odo knew no Latin, and it was the King, an able orator in both tongues, who expounded all in Gothic, showing how Lucius AEmilius had offered his life in the stead of his friend, and how Verronax had hurried to prevent the sacrifice, reiterating, almost in a tone of command, the alternative of the wehrgeld.

It was Marcus AEmilius, covered with dust, and at first unable to utter another word, as he sat on the ground, supported by his brother, while his father made haste to administer the wine handed to him by an attendant.

" Meinhard was quick to bear testimony that no man in Arvernia doubted the word of an AEmilius; but Marcus, taking a small dagger from his belt, held it out, saying "His son said that he would know this token.

While Marcus slept, AEmilius and the two young men offered their heartfelt thanks in the Catholic church of Bordigala, and then Euric would not be refused their presence at a great feast of reconciliation on the following day, two of Verronax's speedy-footed followers having been sent off at once to bear home tidings that his intelligence had been in time.

I own in him the Eternal Creator, Redeemer, and Lord!" "Yea," said Sidonius to his friend AEmilius, "a great work hath been wrought out.