I applied myself with greater diligence.

The business prospered, and grew year by year.

Ten years passed; then came the blow which you heard the young man tell about--the accident, as he called it, to the Procurator Gratus.

The Roman gave it out an attempt to assassinate him.

Under that pretext, by leave from Rome, he confiscated to his own use the immense fortune of the widow and children.