The Sign of the Cross Page #3

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Is she here, or shall I

find out for myself?

Mercia.

We didn't say goodbye

at the fountain.

Yes, I remember.

Just as well we didn't.

Strange for you to come here.

Why? You might have

known I would.

Only because

we didn't say goodbye?

Perhaps so we'd

never have to say it.

You know, this jug broke

when we dropped it.

Good. Good,

I'll buy you a better one.

Mercia.

Wait!

The old man is alarmed,

I think.

You see,

I told him the real reason

why I came.

He doesn't understand,

but you will.

I want you to leave

this place, come with me.

Why?

Because you're in

great danger here.

Why? As long as you

continue to live...

with these Christians,

if they are, of course.

Perhaps you don't know

what Christians really are.

I know enough.

They're so dissatisfied with the world

that they'd like to destroy it.

I've heard they want to save it

by making men spiritually free.

Yes.

And would even kill

Caesar to do it.

I've heard they wouldn't kill

even such a monster as Nero.

Titus!

Either you must die

for treason...

or I must forget

what you've said.

Maybe you're not Christians,

but you're suspected...

so Mercia cannot remain here.

That's all I care about

at the moment.

She has a right to happiness.

Your kind of happiness...

We're not discussing that now.

Oh, wait, Favius.

I'm glad you came,

that you cared enough to come.

But you don't understand.

I belong here with Favius.

Because he wants you to stay?

Because I want to stay.

Even if these men really...

I belong here.

You have strong convictions.

Try to understand.

Don't you value your life

any more than that?

Perhaps...

I hold my life more dearly now

than ever before.

But I don't know danger.

Oh, but it's not only danger

I want to take you away from.

It's this poverty, this...

Favius, Stephan's arrested!

Who is Stephan?

I...

A boy living with us.

Why was he arrested?

I don't know.

Who arrested him?

Licinius, his men.

And where did they take him?

To the district prison.

If that boy knows anything,

they'll make him talk.

Help him.

Why, of course.

Because if he talks, they might

take you away before I could.

Can't anything be done?

If one of us falls by the wayside,

the others must go on.

Hadn't you better change

the meeting place?

It's too late.

But Stephan won't talk.

Oh, poor Stephan!

Answer!

Answer!

Do you follow this Christ?

Are you a Christian?

There's a meeting tonight.

Where is it to be?

For the last time,

will you tell me?

I'll make you talk.

No. No.

No. No.

I didn't do anything.

No. Let me go! Leave me.

What are you

going to do with me?

Will you tell me

where they meet tonight?

Will you answer?

Will you answer now?

Please! Please,

I can't stand it.

Then answer.

I won't.

Yes! Yes, I'll tell!

I'll tell!

Well, where's the meeting?

The grove. The grove.

The Cestian Bridge.

And who are the others? This Mercia,

is she one of them?

Answer!

I'm... I...

Answer!

Wait!

He's fainted.

Bring him up.

Well, we've heard enough.

Get your men.

We'll destroy this

band of Christians...

and then let Marcus

explain to Nero why he didn't.

What have you been doing

with that boy?

There's evidence he's a Christian.

What did he say?

Nothing. Unfortunately,

he fainted.

If he hadn't, you would have

torn a lie out of him.

It all comes from my zeal

in Nero's behalf.

You'll forgive me.

Is it true that this boy

said nothing?

Tell me. What did he say?

Answer me when I tell you to!

What did this boy say?

Pardon, Excellence.

He cannot speak.

He has no tongue.

Get some water.

Why don't they sing loud?

We can't.

Why not?

Titus has come

from the shores of Galilee.

He came with the Master's blessing,

and to talk to you.

Oh, give us the message.

Give us the word.

He brings us Paul's word.

He comes from afar.

Quiet, quiet.

I am not a teacher,

but one of you.

I saw Jesus.

You saw him?

He saw him.

I heard him speak.

Here. Here, drink this.

I couldn't stand the pain,

I couldn't.

Here, you're all right now.

I told Father Titus

I'd never betray them.

I don't want to live.

I don't want to live.

The men are ready, Excellence.

What did you say to them?

I don't want to live.

Now listen to me. Did you say

anything about Mercia?

Come on now, tell me.

Don't be afraid.

I want to help her.

I don't believe you.

Do you want her killed?

No, no.

Well, then what did you tell them?

The meeting place tonight.

Will Mercia be there?

Yes, everybody!

Oh, I shouldn't have told.

I should have died first.

I can save her if you'll tell me.

Where is the meeting?

At the grove...

by the Cestian Bridge

in the temple ruins.

Take care of that boy.

Nothing I want so much

will get away so quickly.

I shouldn't have told.

I shouldn't have told.

"We are to become

as children," Jesus said...

"with a child's

simple loving vision."

If we have

the simplicity...

the faith,

the trust of a child...

we accept that which we do not

fully understand.

Keep your men quiet.

Quiet, men, quiet.

For me, for all men...

he lifted the black mist

from the face of God.

And there was no longer

the God of wrath...

but only a loving father.

All that we had been taught before

about the great Spirit...

became suddenly

a new understanding...

a compassionate God

to whom we could turn.

The blood of these martyred

followers of Jesus...

is not yet dry

on the stones of Jerusalem.

Another Helen of Troy,

only more beautiful.

Good night, Empress.

Morpheus give you deep slumber.

Thank you.

I'd rather have

exciting dreams.

I'd love to share them.

Look out!

Get back! Get back!

Careless, drunken dog!

Arrest him!

Why, Marcus.

What an impetuous young man.

Empress!

Is this your carriage?

It was.

And I might have been in it.

Oh, the gods forbid.

I shall beg your pardon

properly tomorrow.

Why not tonight?

Because I'm in great haste tonight,

on the Emperor's most urgent business.

Come here.

I'm the Emperor's

most urgent business.

Do as I tell you!

Your wishes are sacred

to everyone, Empress.

I doubt that.

Where have you been for days?

I expected you here

at Dacia's house tonight.

Must I sacrifice a carriage in order

to catch a glimpse of you?

Tomorrow you shall have a very

colorful account of everything.

Where are you

rushing to tonight?

Is it a love affair?

I hope it may end in one.

I thought it was

something of the sort.

Where are you

really going, Marcus?

The Empress is romantic

and must understand that I...

No, I don't.

You must explain.

I will. I will, tomorrow.

Tonight, Marcus.

And you will be amused.

And so, Empress... Marcus.

Good night.

Marcus, I insist.

Follow them.

Find out who she is.

Since knowing him and since

following the truth...

old habits have slipped

from my body.

There are no longer any earthly bonds

confining my spirit.

All is at peace within me.

If every living man knew

what I know...

if I could be sure that the message

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