It seemed as if he could not part from Timokles.

Who knew if they should ever meet again?
In the house where Heraklas' mother dwelt, a receiving-room for visitors looked upon the court, but a row of columns led inward to a private sitting-room, which, after the manner of the Egyptians, stood isolated in one of the passages.

In this isolated room, the mother sat on a stool of ebony, inlaid with ivory.

Beside her lay a papyrus on which was written part of the Sacred Book of the Christians.

The face of the proud woman was hidden in her hands.
Before her stood a messenger who had brought her the following writing from Heraklas: "O my mother, forgive thy son! I have found Timokles! He is weak; nigh, I fear, to death.