Sorrows assuaged, home and the fortunes of his house restored; mother and sister in his arms once more--such were the central ideas which made him happier that moment than he had ever been.

That he was rushing, as on wings, into horrible battle had, for the time, nothing to do with his thoughts.

The things thus in hope were unmixed with doubts--they WERE.

Hence his joy so full, so perfect, there was no room in his heart for revenge.

Messala, Gratus, Rome, and all the bitter, passionate memories connected with them, were as dead plagues--miasms of the earth above which he floated, far and safe, listening to singing stars.
The deeper darkness before the dawn was upon the waters, and all things going well with the Astroea, when a man, descending from the deck, walked swiftly to the platform where the tribune slept, and awoke him.