atmosphereof
love
and
harbored
no
resentments
.
She
marvelled
at
what
she
saw
,
but
it
was
to
her
an
unattainable
condition
.
Her
own
affections
were
seared
,
and
a
gnawing
hate
against
the
man
who
had
blighted
her
life
,
and
to
whom
she
was
tied
,
ever
consumed
her
.
She
was
like
a
dead
plant
in
the
midst
of
spring
vegetation
.
It
looks
down
on
the
beautiful
life
about
its
feet
,
but
itself
puts
forth
no
buds
,
shows
no
signs
of
mounting
sap
.
Every
now
and
then
Glyceria
approached
the
topic
of
the
Fish
,
and
the
mysteries
involved
in
the
symbol
,
but
would
not
disclose
them
,
for
she
saw
that
Domitia
,
however
miserable
she
felt
,
however
hopeless
,
was
not
in
a
frame
of
mind
to
receive
and
welcome
the
interpretation
.
For
in
her
,
the
one
dominating
passion
was
hate
—
a
desire
to
have
her
wrongs
revenged
,
and
a
chafing
at
her
powerlessness
to
do
anything
to
revenge
them
.
Her
treatment
by
Domitian
was
capricious
.
At
one
time
he
neglected
her
;
then
he
went
sometimes
out
of
his
way
to
offer
her
a
slight
;
at
others
he
made
real
efforts
to
heal
the
breach
between
them
,
and
to
show
her
that
he
loved
her
still
.
But
he
met
with
not
merely
a
frosty
but
a
contemptuous
reception
,
that
sent
him
away
,
his
vanity
hurt
,
and
his
blood
in
a
ferment
.
In
her
indifference
to
life
,
she
was
able
to
brave
him
without
fear
,
and
he
knew
that
if
he
ordered
her
to
execution
she
would
hail
death
as
a
welcome
means
of
escape
from
association
with
himself
.
His
blundering
and
brutal
tyranny
was
no
match
for
her
keen
wit
cutting
into
him
,
and
maddening
him
.
He
revenged
himself
by
a
coarse
insult
or
by
a
side
blow
at
her
friends
.
She
was
without
ambition
.
Many
a
woman
would
have
endured
his
treatment
without
repining
,
for
the
sake
of
the
splendor
with
which
she
could
surround
herself
,
and
the
towering
position
which
she
occupied
.
But
neither
had
any
attraction
for
Domitia
.
The
one
thing
she
did
desire
,
to
be
left
alone
in
retirement
,
in
the
country
,
that
he
could
not
,
he
would
not
accord
her
.
Usually
,
when
he
was
in
his
splendid
villa
at
Albanum
,
she
elected
to
remain
in
Rome
,
and
when
he
came
to
the
palace
on
the
Palatine
,
if
permitted
,
she
escaped
to
Albanum
;
but
he
would
not
always
suffer
this
.
Thus
a
wretched
life
was
dragged
on
,
and
the
heart
of
Domitia
became
harder
every
day
.
It
would
have
become
as
adamant
but
for
the
presence
of
Glyceria
,
whom
the
Empress
sincerely
loved
,
and
who
exercised
a
subtle
,
softening
and
purifying
influence
on
the
princess
.
Glyceria
saw
how
the
Empress
suffered
,
and
she
pitied
her
,
saw
how
hopeless
the
conditions
were
for
improvement
;
she
saw
also
what
was
hidden
to
other
eyes
,
that
circumstances
were
closing
round
and
drawing
towards
a
crisis
.
Beyond
a
certain
point
Glyceria
could
effect
nothing
,
once
only
did
she
dare
to
suggest
that
the
Augusta
should
assume
a
gentler
demeanor
towards
the
sovereign
of
the
world
,
but
she
was
at
once
cut
back
with
the
words
:
—
“
There
,
Glyceria
,
I
allow
no
interference
.
He
has
wronged
me
past
endurance
.
I
can
never
forgive
.
I
have
but
one
hope
,
I
make
but
one
prayer
—
and
that
for
revenge
.
”
When
Domitian
was
at
Albanum
,
the
Empress
enjoyed
greater
freedom
.
She
was
not
compelled
when
she
went
out
,
to
journey
in
state
;
and
she
could
make
excursions
into
the
country
as
she
pleased
.
The
absence
of
gardens
on
the
Palatine
and
the
throng
of
servants
and
officers
made
it
an
almost
intolerable
residence
to
her
,
beautiful
as
the
situation
was
,
and
splendid
as
were
the
edifices
on
it
.
Nor
was
this
all
.
Domitian
had
not
rested
content
with
the
palaces
already
erected
and
crowding
the
summit
of
the
rock
,
—
those
of
Augustus
,
of
Tiberius
,
and
of
Caligula
,
he
must
build
one
himself
,
and
to
find
material
,
he
tore
down
the
golden
house
of
Nero
.
But
the
construction
of
his
palace
served
still
further
to
reduce
the
privacy
of
the
Palatine
,
for
it
was
thronged
with
masons
,
carpenters
and
plasterers
.
In
deed
the
Palatine
hill-top
was
almost
as
crowded
and
as
noisy
as
was
the
Forum
below
.
From
this
,
then
,
Domitia
was
glad
to
escape
to
a
little
villa
on
the
Via
Nomentana
,
on
a
height
above
the
Anio
,
commanding
a
view
of
the
Sacred
Mount
.
On
one
occasion
,
when
Domitian
was
away
at
Albanum
,
she
had
been
at
this
modest
retreat
,
where
she
was
surrounded
by
a
few
servants
,
and
to
which
she
had
conveyed
Glyceria
,
to
enjoy
the
pure
air
and
rest
of
the
country
.
But
she
was
obliged
to
return
to
Rome
;
and
with
a
small
retinue
,
and
without
heralds
preceding
her
,
she
started
,
and
in
the
morning
arrived
at
the
Porta
Collina
.
Then
Eboracus
,
coming
to
the
side
of
the
litter
,
said
:
—
“
Lady
,
there
is
a
great
crowd
,
and
the
street
is
full
to
choking
.
What
is
your
good
pleasure
?
shall
we
announce
who
you
are
,
and
command
a
passage
?
”
“
Nay
,
”
answered
the
princess
,
“
my
good
Eboracus
,
let
us
draw
aside
,
and
the
swarm
will
pass
,
then
we
can
go
our
way
unconcerned
.
I
am
in
no
precipitate
haste
,
and
,
in
faith
,
every
minute
I
am
outside
Rome
,
the
better
satisfied
am
I
.
”
“
But
,
madam
,
it
is
an
ill
spot
,
we
are
opposite
the
Accursed
Field
.
”
“
That
matters
not
.
It
is
but
for
a
brief
while
.
Go
forward
,
Eboracus
,
and
inquire
what
this
crowd
signifies
.
Methinks
the
people
are
marvellously
still
.
I
hear
no
shout
,
not
even
a
murmur
.
”
“
There
be
priests
leading
the
way
.
”
“
It
is
some
religious
rite
.
Run
forward
,
Eboracus
,
and
make
inquiries
.
That
boy
bears
an
inverted
torch
.
”
The
sight
was
extraordinary
.
A
procession
of
priests
was
advancing
in
silence
,
and
an
enormous
crowd
followed
through
the
gate
,
pouring
forth
like
water
from
a
sluice
,
yet
without
a
word
spoken
.
The
only
sound
was
that
of
the
tramp
of
feet
.
The
place
where
Domitia
had
halted
was
just
outside
the
Collina
gateway
,
where
was
the
wall
of
Servius
Tullius
and
in
its
moat
,
thirty
feet
deep
,
but
dry
,
out
of
which
rose
the
wall
of
massive
blocks
to
another
thirty
above
the
level
of
the
ground
.
This
ditch
was
a
pestilential
refuse
place
into
which
the
carcasses
of
beasts
,
foul
rags
,
sometimes
even
the
bodies
of
men
,
and
all
the
unmentionable
filth
of
a
great
city
were
cast
.
So
foul
was
the
spot
,
so
unwholesome
the
exhalations
that
no
habitations
were
near
it
,
and
the
wide
open
space
before
the
wall
went
by
the
designation
of
the
Accursed
Field
.
And
now
,
through
the
gateway
came
a
covered
hearse
,
and
at
each
corner
walked
a
youth
in
mourning
garb
,
one
bearing
a
lamp
and
oil
,
another
milk
in
a
brass
vessel
,
a
third
water
,
and
a
fourth
bread
.
Now
,
and
now
only
,
with
a
shudder
of
horror
,
did
Domitia
suspect
what
was
about
to
take
place
.
She
saw
how
that
as
the
crowd
deployed
,
it
thickened
about
one
portion
of
the
bank
of
the
ditch
,
and
she
saw
also
the
battlements
above
crowded
with
the
faces
of
men
and
women
leaning
over
to
look
down
into
the
dyke
.
And
there
,
at
one
spot
in
the
fosse
stood
three
men
.
Instinctively
Domitia
knew
who
they
were
—
the
executioner
and
his
assistants
.
But
who
was
to
be
put
to
death
—
and
on
what
charge
,
and
by
what
means
?
Now
the
hearse
was
slowly
brought
to
the
edge
of
the
moat
and
the
curtains
were
raised
.
Then
Domitia
saw
how
that
within
,
prostrate
,
lay
a
woman
,
bound
hand
and
foot
to
the
posts
by
leather
straps
,
with
her
face
covered
,
and
her
mouth
muffled
that
her
cries
might
not
be
heard
.
She
saw
the
attendants
of
the
priests
untie
the
thongs
and
the
unfortunate
woman
was
raised
to
a
sitting
posture
,
yet
still
her
face
was
veiled
,
and
her
hands
were
held
by
servants
of
the
pontiff
.
Now
one
by
one
the
attendants
descended
into
the
moat
bearing
the
lamp
and
the
bread
and
milk
,
and
each
handed
what
he
had
borne
in
the
procession
to
the
executioner
,
who
gave
each
article
as
received
to
one
of
his
deputies
;
and
the
man
immediately
disappeared
with
it
.
Domitia’s
heart
beat
furiously
,
she
put
forth
her
head
to
look
,
and
discovered
a
hole
at
the
base
of
the
wall
,
and
through
this
hole
she
discerned
the
twinkling
light
of
the
lamp
as
it
passed
within
,
then
it
was
lost
.
The
bread
followed
,
the
milk
and
the
water
,
all
conveyed
into
some
underground
cellar
.
And
now
the
chief
pontiff
present
plucked
the
veil
from
the
face
of
the
victim
,
and
with
a
gasp
—
she
could
not
cry
out
,
the
power
was
taken
from
her
—
the
Empress
recognized
Cornelia
.
She
made
an
effort
to
escape
from
her
litter
,
and
fly
to
her
friend
with
outstretched
arms
,
but
Eboracus
,
who
with
white
face
had
returned
,
caught
and
restrained
her
.
“
Madam
,
”
he
said
in
a
low
tone
,
vibrating
with
emotion
,
“
I
pray
you
,
for
the
sake
of
the
Gods
—
do
nothing
rash
.
Stay
where
you
are
.
No
power
—
not
that
of
the
Sacred
Twelve
can
save
her
.
”
“
Ye
Gods
!
But
what
has
she
done
?
”
“
She
has
been
accused
of
breach
of
her
vows
,
and
condemned
by
the
Augustus
,
as
Chief
Priest
—
”
in
a
lower
tone
,
hardly
above
a
whisper
,
“
unheard
in
her
defence
.
”
“
I
must
go
to
her
.
”
“
You
must
not
.
Nothing
can
save
her
.
Pray
for
a
speedy
death
.
”
With
glazed
eyes
,
with
a
surging
in
her
ears
,
and
throbbing
in
the
temples
—
as
in
some
paralyzing
nightmare
—
Domitia
looked
on
.
And
now
the
gag
was
removed
,
and
with
dignity
the
Great
Mother
of
the
Vestals
descended
from
the
bier
.
She
stood
,
tall
and
with
nobility
in
her
aspect
,
and
looked
round
on
the
crowd
,
then
down
into
the
moat
,
at
the
black
hole
under
the
roots
of
the
wall
.
“
Citizens
,
by
the
sacred
fire
of
Vesta
,
I
swear
I
am
innocent
of
the
charge
laid
against
me
,
and
for
which
I
am
sentenced
.
No
witnesses
have
been
called
.
I
have
not
been
suffered
to
offer
any
defence
.
I
knew
not
,
citizens
,
until
I
was
told
that
I
was
sentenced
,
that
any
accusation
had
been
trumped
up
against
me
.
Thou
,
O
Eternal
God
—
above
all
lights
in
the
firmament
,
Thou
,
O
Sovereign
Justice
that
holdest
true
balances
—
I
invoke
Thee
—
I
summon
the
Chief
Pontiff
who
has
sentenced
me
,
before
your
just
thrones
,
to
answer
for
what
is
done
unto
me
this
day
.
I
summon
him
for
midnight
three
days
hence
.
”
Then
the
deputy
of
the
Chief
Pontiff
,
who
presided
at
the
execution
,
Domitian
being
absent
at
Albanum
(
he
being
Pontifex
Maximus
)
,
raised
his
arms
to
heaven
in
silent
prayer
.
His
prayer
ended
,
he
extended
his
hand
to
Cornelia
,
but
she
refusing
his
help
,
unaided
descended
into
the
fosse
.
The
vast
concourse
was
as
though
turned
to
stone
by
a
magician’s
wand
—
so
immovable
was
it
and
so
hushed
.
Some
swallows
swept
screaming
along
the
moat
,
and
their
shrill
cries
sent
a
shudder
through
the
entire
concourse
,
wrought
to
such
a
tension
,
that
even
the
note
of
the
birds
was
an
intolerable
addition
.
The
Vestal
reached
the
mouth
of
the
pit
—
the
ends
of
a
ladder
could
be
seen
at
the
threshold
of
this
opening
.
It
was
evident
that
the
opening
gave
access
to
a
vault
of
some
depth
.
Beside
it
were
stones
from
the
wall
piled
up
,
and
mortar
.
As
soon
as
the
Abbess
reached
the
opening
,
she
turned
,
and
again
declared
her
innocence
.
“
The
Emperor
,
”
said
she
in
clear
,
firm
tones
,
“
has
adjudged
me
guilty
,
knowing
that
my
prayers
have
obtained
for
him
victory
,
triumph
and
an
immortal
name
.
I
repeat
my
summons
.
I
bid
him
answer
before
the
throne
on
high
,
at
midnight
,
three
days
hence
.
”
Then
she
looked
steadily
at
the
blue
sky
—
then
up
at
the
sun
,
—
to
take
a
last
view
of
light
.
With
calmness
,
with
fortitude
,
she
turned
,
and
entering
the
opening
began
to
disappear
,
descending
the
ladder
.
In
so
doing
her
veil
caught
in
one
of
the
ends
of
the
side
poles
of
the
ladder
.
She
must
have
reascended
a
step
or
two
,
for
her
hand
was
visible
disengaging
the
white
veil
,
and
then
—
hand
and
veil
disappeared
.
Immediately
stones
were
caught
up
,
trowels
and
mortar
seized
,
and
with
incredible
celerity
the
opening
was
walled
up
.
The
pontiff
applied
his
leaden
seal
.
“
Be
speedy
!
Remove
her
!
Run
—
”
shouted
Eboracus
,
for
his
mistress
had
fallen
back
in
the
litter
in
a
dead
faint
,
—
“
At
once
—
to
the
Palace
!
”
CHAPTER
XI
.
AGAIN
:
THE
SWORD
OF
CORBULO
.
Eboracus
was
able
to
open
a
way
for
the
litter
through
the
crowd
,
now
clustered
on
the
bank
of
the
dyke
,
watching
as
the
workmen
threw
down
earth
and
stones
,
and
buried
deep
that
portion
of
the
wall
in
which
was
the
vault
where
the
unhappy
Abbess
Cornelia
was
buried
alive
.
And
now
the
populace
broke
forth
in
sighs
and
tears
,
and
in
murmurings
low
expressed
at
the
injustice
committed
in
sentencing
a
woman
without
allowing
her
to
know
that
she
had
been
accused
,
and
of
saying
a
word
in
her
own
defence
.
Some
of
the
crowd
was
drifting
back
into
Rome
,
and
by
entering
this
current
,
the
train
of
Domitia
travelled
along
.
Eboracus
returned
from
the
head
of
the
litter
repeatedly
to
the
side
,
to
look
within
and
ascertain
whether
his
mistress
were
recovering
.
At
the
first
fountain
he
stopped
the
convoy
and
obtained
for
her
water
to
bathe
her
face
,
and
at
a
little
tavern
,
he
procured
strong
Campanian
wine
,
which
he
entreated
her
to
sip
,
so
as
to
nerve
her
.
As
the
litter
approached
the
Forum
,
the
crowd
again
coagulated
and
at
last
remained
completely
stationary
.
Again
the
street
was
blocked
.
Eboracus
went
forward
and
forced
his
way
through
,
that
he
might
ascertain
the
cause
,
and
whether
the
block
was
temporary
and
would
speedily
cease
.
He
came
back
in
great
agitation
,
and
said
hastily
to
his
mistress
:
—
“
Lady
,
you
cannot
proceed
.
Suffer
me
to
recommend
that
you
go
to
the
Carinæ
and
tarry
there
—
with
your
lady
mother
for
a
while
,
till
your
strength
is
restored
,
and
till
the
streets
be
more
open
.
”
“
Eboracus
—
what
is
going
on
?
tell
me
.
”
“
Madam
,
there
is
something
being
transacted
in
the
comitium
that
causes
all
the
approaches
to
be
packed
with
people
.
We
might
make
a
circuit
—
but
,
lady
!
I
think
if
you
would
deign
to
repose
for
an
hour
at
your
mother’s
house
,
after
what
you
have
suffered
,
it
would
be
advisable
.
”
“
Tell
me
what
is
taking
place
in
the
comitium
.
”
“
I
should
prefer
,
lady
,
not
to
be
asked
.
”
“
But
I
have
asked
.
”
“
Then
,
dear
mistress
,
do
not
require
of
me
to
make
answer
.
”
“
Answer
truly
.
Tell
me
no
lie
.
What
is
it
?
”
He
hesitated
.
Then
Domitia
said
:
—
“
Look
at
my
hand
,
it
is
firm
,
it
does
not
tremble
.
Nothing
that
I
hear
can
be
worse
than
what
I
have
seen
.
”
“
Lady
—
your
strength
has
already
failed
.
”
“
And
now
I
have
gathered
my
resolution
together
,
and
can
bear
anything
.
I
adjure
you
,
by
your
duty
to
me
—
answer
me
,
what
is
taking
place
in
the
comitium
,
what
is
it
that
causes
the
streets
leading
thereto
to
be
impassable
.
”
“
If
I
must
reply
—
—
”
“
If
you
do
not
,
I
will
have
you
scourged
.
”
“
Nay
,
lady
,
that
is
not
like
thee
.
It
is
not
fear
that
will
make
me
speak
,
but
because
I
know
that
if
I
do
not
,
the
information
can
be
got
from
another
.
”
“
Well
—
what
is
it
?
”
“
The
knight
Celer
,
on
the
same
charge
as
that
which
lost
the
Great
Mother
Cornelia
,
is
being
whipped
to
death
with
the
scorpion
.
”
“
By
the
same
orders
?
To
my
mother’s
in
the
Carinæ
.
”
Hastily
Domitia
drew
the
curtains
of
her
litter
,
and
was
seen
no
more
,
spoke
no
more
till
she
reached
the
door
of
Longa
Duilia
.
Here
she
descended
and
entered
the
house
.
“
My
dear
Domitia
!
my
august
daughter
!
What
a
pleasure
!
What
an
honor
!
”
The
lady
Duilia
started
up
to
embrace
the
Empress
.
Domitia
received
the
kiss
coldly
,
and
sank
silent
on
a
stool
.
Her
mother
looked
at
her
with
surprise
.
Domitia
was
waxen
white
,
her
eyes
with
dark
rings
about
them
,
and
unnaturally
large
and
bright
.
The
color
had
left
her
lips
and
these
were
leaden
in
hue
.
Domitia
did
not
speak
,
did
not
move
.
She
remained
for
some
moments
like
a
statue
.
“
As
the
Gods
love
me
!
”
exclaimed
her
mother
after
a
long
pause
,
“
you
are
not
going
to
be
ill
,
surely
—
nothing
dangerous
,
nothing
likely
to
end
unhappily
.
Ye
Gods
!
and
I
have
so
much
I
want
you
to
do
for
me
.
Tell
me
,
I
entreat
you
.
Hide
nothing
from
me
.
You
are
suffering
.
Where
is
it
?
What
is
it
?
Shall
I
send
for
a
doctor
?
”
“
Mother
,
no
doctor
can
cure
me
.
It
is
here
,
”
Domitia
pressed
her
hands
to
her
heart
—
“
and
here
,
”
to
her
temples
.
“
I
am
the
most
miserable
,
the
most
unfortunate
of
women
.
”
“
Ye
Gods
!
He
has
divorced
you
?
”
“
No
,
mother
.
I
would
that
he
had
.
”
“
Then
what
is
the
matter
?
Have
you
eaten
what
disagrees
with
you
?
As
the
Gods
love
me
!
you
should
not
come
out
such
a
figure
.
Who
was
your
face-dresser
to-day
?
she
ought
to
be
crucified
!
Not
a
particle
of
paint
—
white
as
ivory
.
Intolerable
—
and
it
has
given
me
such
a
turn
.
”
Domitia
made
no
reply
.
“
But
what
is
it
?
What
has
made
you
look
like
Parian
marble
?
”
“
The
Great
Mother
Cornelia
—
”
Domitia
could
say
no
more
,
a
lump
rose
in
her
throat
and
choked
her
.
Then
all
at
once
she
began
to
shiver
as
though
frost-stricken
and
her
teeth
chattered
.
“
I
have
an
essence
—
you
must
take
that
,
”
said
the
lady
Duilia
.
“
My
dear
,
I
know
all
about
that
.
An
estimable
lady
.
I
mean
she
was
so
till
the
Augustus
decreed
otherwise
.
I
am
sorry
,
and
all
that
—
but
you
know
—
well
,
these
things
do
happen
and
must
,
and
I
dare
be
bound
that
some
are
glad
,
as
it
makes
an
opening
for
another
needy
girl
,
of
good
family
of
course
.
What
is
one
person’s
loss
is
another’s
gain
.
The
world
is
so
and
we
can’t
alter
it
,
and
a
good
thing
,
I
say
,
that
it
is
so
.
”
“
Mother
—
she
was
innocent
.
”
“
Well
,
well
,
we
know
all
about
that
.
Of
course
it
was
all
nonsense
what
was
charged
against
her
,
that
we
quite
understand
.
It
would
never
have
done
for
the
real
truth
to
have
been
advertised
.
”
“
And
what
was
the
truth
?
”
“
My
dear
Domitia
!
How
can
you
ask
such
a
silly
,
infantile
question
?
It
was
your
doing
,
you
must
understand
that
.
You
threw
yourself
on
her
protection
,
embraced
the
altar
of
Vesta
,
and
Cornelia
with
the
assistance
of
Celer
did
what
she
could
to
further
your
object
in
leaving
Rome
.
If
people
will
do
donkey-like
things
they
must
get
a
stick
across
their
backs
.
It
is
so
,
and
always
will
be
so
in
this
world
,
and
we
cannot
make
it
otherwise
.
”
“
I
thought
so
.
I
was
sure
it
was
so
,
”
said
Domitia
gravely
.
There
was
an
infinity
of
sadness
,
of
despair
in
her
tone
.
“
Mother
,
I
bring
misfortune
upon
all
with
whom
I
have
to
do
.
”
“
Ye
Gods
!
not
on
me
!
I
hope
to
be
preserved
from
that
!
Do
not
speak
such
unlucky
words
—
they
are
of
bad
omen
.
”
“
I
cannot
help
it
,
mother
,
it
is
true
.
I
am
the
most
unfortunate
of
women
myself
—
—
”
“
You
speak
rank
folly
.
Ye
Gods
forgive
me
!
saying
such
a
thing
to
one
who
is
herself
divine
.
But
,
it
is
so
—
you
are
positively
the
most
fortunate
of
women
.
What
more
do
you
desire
?
You
are
the
Augusta
,
the
people
swear
by
your
genius
and
fortune
.
”
“
By
my
fortune
!
Alack
poor
souls
!
”
“
And
is
it
not
a
piece
of
good
fortune
to
be
raised
so
high
that
there
is
none
above
you
?
”
“
My
fortune
!
The
Gods
know
—
if
they
know
anything
—
that
I
would
gladly
exchange
my
lot
with
that
of
a
poor
woman
in
a
cottage
who
spins
and
sings
,
or
of
a
girl
among
the
mountains
who
keeps
goats
and
is
defended
by
a
boisterous
dog
.
Mother
,
listen
to
me
.
I
have
brought
misfortune
on
Lucius
Lamia
,
I
have
caused
the
death
of
that
harmless
actor
Paris
,
I
have
been
the
occasion
of
Cornelia
being
—
buried
alive
—
watching
the
expiring
of
the
one
lamp
.
Ye
Gods
!
Ye
Gods
!
I
shall
go
mad
—
and
of
Celer
also
.
—
He
—
—
”
She
held
her
face
,
rocked
herself
on
the
seat
and
sobbed
as
if
her
heart
would
break
.
“
Yes
,
”
said
the
old
lady
,
roused
to
anger
at
her
daughter’s
lack
of
appreciation
of
the
splendor
of
her
position
.
“
Yes
,
child
,
and
mischief
you
will
work
on
every
one
,
if
you
continue
in
the
same
course
.
Do
men
say
that
the
Augustus
is
morose
?
Who
made
him
so
?
—
you
by
your
behavior
.
Do
they
say
that
he
is
severe
in
his
judgments
?
Who
has
hardened
him
and
made
him
cruel
?
—
You
—
who
have
dried
up
all
the
springs
of
tenderness
in
his
breast
.
He
was
not
so
at
first
.
If
he
be
what
men
think
—
it
is
your
work
.
You
with
your
stinging
words
goaded
him
to
madness
and
as
he
cannot
or
will
not
beat
you
,
as
you
deserve
,
he
deals
the
blows
on
some
one
else
.
Of
course
he
cuts
away
such
as
you
regard
and
love
—
because
they
obtain
that
to
which
he
has
a
right
,
but
which
you
deny
him
.
”
“
He
—
he
—
a
right
!
”
Domitia
started
up
,
anger
,
resentment
,
hatred
flared
in
her
eyes
,
stiffened
the
muscles
of
her
whole
face
,
made
her
hair
bristle
above
her
brow
.
“
He
a
right
,
mother
!
he
who
tore
me
away
from
my
dear
Lamia
,
to
whom
I
had
given
my
whole
heart
,
to
whom
I
had
been
united
by
your
sanction
and
our
union
blessed
by
the
Gods
!
He
who
violated
hospitality
,
the
most
sacred
rights
that
belong
to
a
house
,
who
repaid
your
kindness
in
saving
his
life
—
when
he
was
hunted
like
a
wolf
,
by
breaking
and
destroying
,
by
trampling
under
his
accursed
heel
,
the
brittle
,
innocent
heart
of
the
daughter
of
her
who
had
protected
him
!
No
,
mother
,
I
owed
him
no
love
.
I
have
never
given
him
any
,
because
he
never
had
a
right
to
any
.
Mother
—
this
must
have
an
end
.
”
She
sank
into
silence
that
continued
for
some
while
.
Duilia
did
not
speak
.
She
did
not
desire
another
such
explosion
,
lest
the
slaves
should
hear
and
betray
what
had
been
said
.
Presently
,
however
,
she
whispered
coaxingly
:
—
“
My
dear
Domitia
,
you
are
overwrought
.
You
have
eaten
something
that
has
affected
your
temper
.
I
find
gherkins
always
disagree
with
me
.
There
,
go
and
take
a
little
ginger
in
white
wine
,
and
sleep
it
off
.
”
Domitia
rose
,
stiffly
,
as
though
all
her
joints
were
wooden
.
“
Yes
,
mother
,
I
will
go
.
But
there
is
one
thing
I
desire
of
thee
.
I
have
long
coveted
it
,
as
a
remembrancer
of
my
father
—
may
I
take
it
?
”
“
Anything
—
anything
you
like
.
”
Domitia
went
to
the
wall
and
took
down
the
sword
of
Corbulo
,
there
suspended
.
“
It
is
this
,
mother
.
I
need
it
.
”
Then
she
departed
.
“
That
sword
—
ah
!
”
said
Duilia
.
“
It
has
been
a
little
overdone
.
I
have
caught
my
guests
exchanging
winks
when
I
alluded
to
it
,
and
dropped
a
tear
.
O
by
all
means
she
shall
have
it
.
It
has
ceased
to
be
of
use
to
me
.
”
CHAPTER
XII
.
THE
TABLETS
.
Elymas
the
sorcerer
stood
bowing
before
Domitia
,
his
hands
crossed
upon
his
breast
.
She
looked
scrutinizingly
into
his
dark
face
,
but
could
read
nothing
there
.
He
remained
immovable
and
silent
before
her
,
awaiting
the
announcement
of
her
will
.
“
I
have
sent
for
thee
,
”
she
said
.
“
How
long
,
I
would
know
,
before
the
sixth
veil
falls
?
”
“
Lady
and
Augusta
,
”
answered
the
Magian
,
“
remember
that
when
thou
lookest
out
upon
the
Sabine
Mountains
,
on
one
day
all
is
so
distinct
that
thou
wouldst
suppose
a
walk
of
an
hour
would
bring
thee
to
them
.
On
the
morrow
,
the
range
is
so
faint
and
so
remote
,
that
thou
wouldst
consider
it
must
require
days
of
travel
to
attain
their
roots
.
It
is
so
with
the
Future
.
We
look
into
its
distance
and
behold
forms
—
but
whether
near
or
far
we
know
not
.
This
only
do
we
say
with
confidence
,
that
we
are
aware
of
their
succession
,
but
not
of
their
nearness
or
remoteness
.
”
“
What
!
and
the
stars
,
will
they
not
help
thee
?
”
“
There
is
at
this
time
an
ominous
conjuncture
of
planets
.
”
“
I
pray
thee
,
spare
me
the
details
,
and
tell
me
that
which
they
portend
.
”
“
Is
it
thine
own
future
,
Augusta
,
thou
desirest
to
look
into
?
”
“
Elymas
,
my
story
has
been
unfolded
—
to
what
an
extent
it
has
been
managed
by
such
as
thyself
,
that
I
cannot
judge
.
But
of
a
certainty
it
was
thou
who
didst
contrive
that
I
was
carried
away
from
my
husband’s
house
.
Then
what
followed
,
the
Gods
know
how
far
thou
wast
in
it
,
but
I
have
heard
it
said
that
the
God
Titus
would
not
have
had
his
mortal
thread
cut
short
but
that
,
when
in
fever
,
thou
didst
persuade
him
to
a
bath
in
snow
water
.
It
is
very
easy
to
predict
what
will
be
,
when
with
our
hands
we
mould
the
future
.
And
now
—
I
care
not
whether
thou
makest
or
predictest
what
is
to
be
—
but
an
end
there
must
be
,
and
that
a
speedy
one
—
for
thine
own
safety
hangs
thereon
.
”
“
How
so
,
lady
?
”
“
The
Augustus
has
been
greatly
alarmed
of
late
at
sinister
omens
and
prophesies
;
and
he
attributes
them
to
thee
.
Perhaps
,
”
with
a
scornful
intonation
,
“
he
also
is
aware
that
fulfilment
is
assured
before
a
prophesy
is
given
out
.
”
The
Magus
remained
motionless
,
but
his
face
became
pale
.
“
I
know
,
because
at
supper
with
his
intimates
,
Messala
and
Regulus
and
Carus
,
he
swore
by
the
Gods
he
would
have
you
cast
to
savage
dogs
,
and
he
would
make
an
example
of
such
as
filled
men’s
minds
with
expectation
of
evil
.
”
“
Lady
—
—
”
But
Domitia
interrupted
him
.
“
Thou
thinkest
that
I
say
this
to
alarm
thee
and
bend
thee
to
my
will
.
If
the
Augustus
has
his
spies
that
watch
and
repeat
to
him
whatsoever
I
do
,
whomsoever
I
see
,
almost
every
word
I
say
—
shall
not
I
also
have
a
watch
put
upon
him
?
Even
now
,
Magus
,
that
I
have
sent
for
thee
,
and
that
thou
art
closely
consulted
by
me
this
has
been
carried
to
his
ears
,
and
as
he
knows
how
I
esteem
him
,
he
will
think
this
interview
bodes
him
no
good
.
”
“
When
,
Lady
Augusta
,
was
this
said
?
”
“
The
Emperor
is
this
day
returned
from
Albanum
,
and
the
threat
was
made
but
yesterday
.
Who
can
say
but
that
the
order
has
already
been
given
for
thy
arrest
,
and
for
the
gathering
together
of
the
dogs
that
are
to
rend
thee
.
”
The
man
became
alarmed
and
moved
uneasily
.
“
Magus
,
”
said
Domitia
,
“
I
cannot
save
thee
,
thine
own
wits
must
do
that
.
Find
it
written
in
the
stars
that
thy
life
is
so
bound
up
with
that
of
the
Cæsar
,
that
the
death
of
one
is
the
extinction
of
the
other
;
or
that
thou
holdest
so
potent
a
charm
that
if
thou
wilt
thou
canst
employ
it
for
his
destruction
.
It
is
not
for
me
to
point
out
how
thou
mayest
twist
out
of
his
grasp
—
thou
art
a
very
eel
for
slipperiness
,
and
a
serpent
for
contrivance
.
What
I
desire
to
know
is
—
How
much
longer
is
this
tyranny
to
last
,
and
how
long
am
I
to
suffer
?
”
Then
the
magician
looked
round
the
room
,
to
make
sure
that
he
was
unobserved
;
he
raised
the
curtain
at
the
door
to
see
that
none
listened
outside
,
and
satisfied
that
he
was
neither
observed
nor
overheard
,
he
pointed
to
a
clepsydra
.
This
was
an
ingenious
,
but
to
our
minds
a
clumsy
,
contrivance
for
measuring
time
.
It
consisted
of
a
silver
ball
,
with
a
covered
opening
at
the
top
,
through
which
the
interior
could
be
replenished
.
About
the
base
of
the
globe
were
minute
perforations
through
which
the
liquid
that
was
placed
in
the
vessel
slowly
oozed
,
and
oozing
ran
together
into
a
drop
at
the
bottom
which
fell
at
intervals
into
the
bucket
of
a
tiny
wheel
.
When
the
bucket
was
full
,
the
wheel
revolved
and
decanted
the
liquid
whilst
presenting
another
bucket
to
the
distilling
drops
.
At
each
movement
of
the
wheel
a
connection
with
it
gave
motion
to
the
hand
of
a
statuette
of
Saturn
,
who
with
his
scythe
indicated
a
number
on
an
arc
of
metal
.
The
numbers
ranged
from
one
to
twelve
,
and
the
contrivance
answered
for
half
the
twenty-four
hours
.
“
Lady
,
”
said
the
Magus
,
“
before
Saturn
has
pointed
to
the
twelfth
hour
—
—
”
Steps
were
heard
,
approaching
the
room
,
along
the
mosaic-laid
passage
,
and
next
moment
,
the
curtain
was
snatched
aside
,
and
Domitian
,
his
face
blazing
with
anger
,
entered
the
apartment
of
his
wife
.
“
So
?
”
said
he
,
“
you
are
in
league
with
astrologers
and
magicians
against
me
!
But
,
by
the
Gods
!
I
can
protect
myself
.
”
He
clapped
his
hands
,
and
some
of
the
guard
appeared
in
the
doorway
.
“
Remove
him
,
”
said
the
Emperor
.
“
I
have
given
orders
concerning
him
already
.
Hey
!
Magus
!
knowest
thou
what
will
be
thy
doom
,
thou
who
pretendest
to
read
the
fate
of
men
in
the
stars
?
”
“
Augustus
,
”
answered
the
necromancer
,
“
I
have
read
that
I
should
be
rent
by
wild
dogs
.
”
“
Sayest
thou
so
?
Then
by
Jupiter
!
I
will
make
thy
forecast
come
to
naught
.
Go
,
Eulogius
!
—
it
is
my
command
that
he
be
at
once
,
mark
you
,
this
very
night
,
burned
alive
.
We
will
see
whether
his
prophecies
come
true
.
Here
is
my
order
.
”
Domitian
plucked
a
packet
of
tablets
from
his
bosom
,
bound
together
with
a
string
,
drew
forth
one
,
and
wrote
hastily
on
it
,
then
pressed
his
seal
on
the
wax
that
covered
the
slab
and
handed
it
to
the
officer
.
Then
the
guard
surrounded
the
astrologer
,
and
led
him
away
.
Domitian
waved
his
hand
.
“
Every
one
out
of
earshot
,
”
ordered
he
,
and
he
walked
to
the
window
and
looked
forth
.
It
was
already
night
;
to
the
south
the
sky
was
quivering
with
lightning
,
summer
flashes
,
without
thunder
.
“
A
storm
,
a
storm
is
coming
on
,
”
said
the
Emperor
;
“
there’ll
be
storms
everywhere
,
and
lightning
falling
on
all
sides
—
portents
they
say
.
So
be
it
!
as
the
sword
of
heaven
smites
,
so
does
mine
.
But
it
falls
not
on
me
,
but
on
my
enemies
.
Domitia
,
”
said
he
,
leaving
the
window
,
“
there
has
been
a
conspiracy
entered
into
against
my
life
,
and
the
fools
thought
to
set
up
Clemens
—
he
,
that
weakling
,
that
coward
;
but
I
have
sent
him
to
his
death
,
and
those
who
were
associated
with
him
,
the
sentence
is
gone
forth
against
them
also
.
”
“
I
marvel
only
that
any
in
Rome
are
suffered
to
live
.
”
“
Minerva
gives
me
wisdom
—
to
defend
myself
.
”
“
Any
wild
beast
can
employ
teeth
and
claws
.
”
“
Domitia
,
”
he
came
close
to
her
,
“
I
am
the
most
lonely
of
men
.
I
have
no
friends
;
my
kinsmen
either
have
been
,
or
hate
me
;
my
friends
are
the
most
despicable
of
flatterers
,
who
would
betray
their
own
parents
to
save
their
own
throats
;
I
use
them
,
but
I
scorn
them
.
You
know
not
what
it
is
to
be
alone
!
”
“
I
!
I
have
been
alone
ever
since
you
tore
me
from
Lamia
.
”
“
Lamia
!
”
he
ground
his
teeth
;
“
still
Lamia
!
But
by
the
Gods
!
not
for
long
.
And
you
—
you
my
wife
whom
I
have
loved
,
for
whom
I
would
have
done
anything
—
you
are
against
me
;
you
take
counsel
with
a
Chaldæan
how
long
I
have
to
live
;
the
Senate
,
the
nobles
hate
me
,
and
by
Jupiter
,
they
have
good
cause
,
for
I
cut
them
with
a
scythe
like
ripe
wheat
.
That
was
a
good
lesson
of
Tarquin
to
his
son
Sextus
to
nip
off
the
heads
of
the
tallest
poppies
.
And
the
people
—
you
have
been
currying
favor
with
them
—
against
me
;
the
soldiers
alone
love
me
,
because
I
have
doubled
their
pay
;
let
another
offer
to
treble
it
and
,
to
a
man
,
they
will
desert
me
.
By
the
Immortals
!
it
is
terrible
to
be
alone
—
and
to
be
plotted
against
,
even
by
one’s
wife
.
”
He
walked
the
room
,
flourishing
his
tablets
,
then
halted
in
front
of
the
clepsydra
.
“
What
said
that
star-gazer
about
the
twelfth
hour
?
”
he
asked
.
“
Walls
have
ears
,
nothing
is
said
that
does
not
reach
me
.
So
,
old
Saturn
,
with
thy
scythe
,
dost
thou
threaten
?
Then
I
defy
thee
—
ha
!
I
saw
the
storm
was
coming
up
over
Rome
.
”
A
long-drawn
growl
of
thunder
muttered
through
the
passages
of
the
palace
.
“
I
saw
no
flash
,
”
said
the
prince
,
“
yet
lightning
falls
somewhere
,
maybe
to
kindle
the
pyre
on
which
that
sorcerer
will
burn
;
I
care
not
.
Fire
of
heaven
fall
and
strike
where
and
whom
thou
wilt
!
”
He
went
again
to
the
window
and
looked
forth
.
The
air
was
still
and
close
.
The
sky
was
enveloped
in
vapor
and
not
a
star
could
be
seen
.
A
continuous
quiver
of
electric
light
ran
along
the
horizon
.
Then
the
heavens
seemed
to
be
rent
asunder
and
a
blaze
of
lightning
shot
forth
,
blinding
to
the
eyes
.
Domitian
turned
away
,
and
laid
the
tablets
on
the
marble
sideboard
as
he
pressed
his
hands
to
his
eyeballs
.
“
By
the
Gods
!
”
he
exclaimed
a
moment
later
,
“
here
comes
the
rain
;
it
descends
in
cataracts
;
it
falls
with
a
roar
.
”
He
paced
the
room
,
halted
,
stood
in
front
of
the
clepsydra
and
looked
at
the
dropping
water
.
The
water
had
been
reddened
,
and
it
seemed
like
blood
sweated
out
of
the
silver
globe
.
At
that
moment
the
wheel
revolved
,
and
sent
a
crimson
gush
into
the
receiver
.
With
a
jerk
Saturn
raised
his
scythe
and
indicated
the
hour
ten
.
The
Emperor
turned
away
,
and
came
in
front
of
Domitia
.
“
None
have
ever
loved
me
,
”
he
said
bitterly
,
“
how
then
can
it
be
expected
that
I
shall
love
any
?
my
father
disliked
me
,
my
brother
distrusted
me
—
and
you
—
my
wife
,
have
ever
hated
me
.
I
need
not
ask
the
cause
of
that
.
It
is
Lamia
,
always
Lamia
.
Because
he
has
never
married
you
think
he
still
harbors
love
for
you
;
and
you
—
you
hate
me
because
of
him
.
It
is
hard
to
be
a
prince
,
and
to
be
alone
.
If
I
hear
a
play
—
I
think
I
catch
allusions
to
me
;
if
it
be
a
comedy
—
there
is
a
jest
aimed
at
me
;
if
a
tragedy
,
it
expresses
what
men
wish
may
befall
me
.
If
I
read
a
historian
,
he
declaims
on
the
glories
of
a
commonwealth
before
these
men
,
these
Cæsars
became
tyrants
,
and
as
for
your
philosophers
—
away
with
them
,
they
are
wind-bags
,
but
the
wind
is
poisonous
,
it
is
malarious
to
me
.
When
I
am
at
the
circus
,
because
I
back
green
—
you
,
the
entire
hoop
of
spectators
cheer
,
bet
on
the
blue
—
to
show
me
that
they
hate
me
.
At
the
Amphitheatre
,
if
I
favor
the
big
shields
,
then
every
one
else
is
for
the
small
targets
.
A
prince
is
ever
the
most
solitary
of
men
.
If
you
had
protested
that
you
loved
me
,
had
fondled
me
,
I
would
have
held
you
in
suspicion
,
mistrusted
your
every
word
and
look
and
gesture
.
Perhaps
it
is
because
that
you
have
never
given
me
good
word
,
gentle
look
,
and
gesture
of
respect
that
I
feel
you
are
true
—
cruelly
true
,
and
I
have
loved
you
as
the
only
true
person
I
know
.
Now
answer
me
—
you
asked
after
my
death
?
”
“
Yes
,
”
answered
Domitia
.
“
I
knew
it
.
”
“
And
,
”
said
she
,
in
cold
,
hard
tones
,
looking
straight
into
his
agitated
,
twitching
countenance
,
“
I
bear
to
you
a
message
.
”
“
From
whom
?
”
“
From
Cornelia
,
the
Great
Mother
.
”
“
Well
,
and
what
—
—
”
he
stopped
,
some
one
approached
the
door
.
“
What
would
you
have
?
”
The
mime
Latinus
appeared
.
“
Well
—
speak
.
”
“
Sire
,
the
rain
extinguished
the
pyre
,
before
that
the
astrologer
was
much
burnt
;
then
the
dogs
fell
on
him
,
as
he
was
unbound
,
and
they
tore
him
and
he
is
dead
.
”
“
Ye
Gods
!
”
gasped
Domitian
,
putting
up
his
hand
.
“
His
word
has
come
true
after
all
.
”
Domitia
signed
to
the
actor
to
withdraw
.
“
You
have
not
heard
the
message
of
Cornelia
.
”
He
did
not
speak
.
“
She
has
summoned
you
,
the
Augustus
,
the
Chief
Pontiff
,
the
unjust
Judge
,
to
answer
before
the
All-righteous
Supreme
Justice
,
above
—
before
the
scythe
points
to
Twelve
.
”
Domitian
answered
not
a
word
,
he
threw
his
mantle
about
his
face
and
left
the
room
.
He
had
left
his
tablets
on
the
table
.
CHAPTER
XIII
.
THE
HOUR
OF
TWELVE
.
For
some
moments
Domitia
remained
without
stirring
.
But
then
,
roused
by
a
glare
of
lightning
,
succeeded
by
a
crash
so
loud
as
to
shake
the
palace
,
she
saw
in
the
white
blaze
the
tablets
of
the
Emperor
lying
on
the
table
.
At
once
,
aware
of
the
importance
of
what
she
had
secured
,
she
seized
them
,
and
went
to
the
lamp
to
open
them
.
They
consisted
of
thin
citron-wood
boards
,
framed
and
hinged
on
one
side
,
the
surfaces
within
covered
with
a
film
of
wax
,
on
which
notes
were
inscribed
with
a
stile
or
iron
pen
.
There
were
stray
leaves
that
served
for
correspondence
,
orders
and
so
forth
,
but
what
Domitia
now
held
was
a
diptych
,
that
is
to
say
,
two
leaves
hinged
,
like
a
book-cover
,
which
had
included
loose
sheets
and
were
bound
together
by
strings
.
She
at
once
opened
the
diptych
,
and
saw
on
the
first
page
:
—
“
To
be
executed
immediately
:
—
In
the
Tullianum
,
by
strangulation
,
Lucius
Ælius
Lamia
Plautius
Ælianus
.
To
be
torn
by
dogs
:
—
The
Chaldæan
Elymas
,
otherwise
called
Ascletarion
.
”
On
the
second
leaf
:
“
To
be
executed
on
the
morrow
:
—
By
decapitation
:
Petronius
Secundus
,
Præfect
of
the
Prætorium
.
Norbanus
,
likewise
Præfect
of
the
Prætorium
.
By
strangling
,
in
the
Tullianum
:
Parthenius
and
Sigerius
,
Chamberlains
of
the
Palace
.
To
be
bled
to
death
:
Stephanus
:
steward
to
my
niece
Domitilla
.
Entellus
:
Secretary
a
libellis
.
”
The
words
applying
to
Lamia
acted
on
her
as
a
blow
against
her
heart
.
She
staggered
to
a
stool
,
sank
on
it
and
struggled
for
breath
.
But
the
urgency
of
the
danger
allowed
no
delay
—
she
rallied
her
strength
immediately
,
flew
from
the
room
and
summoned
Eboracus
.
To
him
,
breathless
,
she
said
:
“
Fly
—
summon
me
at
once
Stephanus
the
steward
,
Petronius
and
Norbanus
,
præfects
,
and
the
chamberlains
Parthenius
and
Sigerius
.
Bid
them
come
to
me
at
once
—
not
make
a
moment’s
delay
.
”
She
sank
again
on
the
stool
and
put
her
hands
to
her
temples
and
pressed
them
.
The
lightning
continued
to
flare
and
the
thunder
to
roll
.
There
ensued
a
turmoil
,
and
a
sound
of
voices
crying
;
then
a
rush
of
feet
.
Euphrosyne
entered
with
startled
mien
—
“
My
mistress
!
The
bolt
of
heaven
has
fallen
on
the
Palatine
,
and
the
chamber
of
the
Augustus
has
been
struck
.
The
Temple
of
the
Flavians
is
on
fire
,
and
is
burning
in
despite
of
the
rain
.
”
The
chamberlain
,
Parthenius
,
entered
.
“
Augusta
!
”
said
he
,
“
the
lightning
has
struck
that
part
of
the
palace
occupied
by
Cæsar
.
He
must
have
his
apartment
for
the
night
on
this
side
.
”
“
That
is
well
,
”
answered
Domitia
.
“
Parthenius
,
have
you
received
my
message
from
Eboracus
?
”
“
No
,
lady
.
”
“
Then
read
this
,
”
she
extended
to
him
the
wax
tablets
.
The
chamberlain
turned
ash
gray
and
trembled
.
“
Parthenius
,
”
said
Domitia
,
“
it
is
no
vain
augury
that
lightning
has
struck
the
Temple
of
the
Flavians
,
and
driven
Cæsar
from
his
apartments
.
Let
his
place
of
rest
be
to-night
in
the
room
adjoining
this
—
and
—
if
he
wakes
—
”
she
looked
at
the
clepsydra
,
as
at
that
moment
with
a
click
the
wheel
turned
and
Saturn
moved
his
scythe
—
“
there
is
but
an
hour
in
which
the
fate
of
more
than
yourself
,
of
Lamia
—
of
Entellus
must
be
decided
.
Take
the
tablets
.
”
Scarce
had
she
spoken
,
before
quick
steps
were
heard
,
and
in
a
moment
Domitian
entered
.
Parthenius
hastily
concealed
the
tablets
by
throwing
a
fold
of
his
garment
over
the
hand
that
held
them
.
“
Sire
,
”
said
he
,
“
I
have
come
to
announce
that
thy
chamber
must
be
on
this
side
.
”
“
Go
thy
way
,
”
said
Domitian
roughly
,
“
see
to
it
that
I
have
a
bed
brought
at
once
.
Hast
heard
,
Domitia
,
the
fire
has
fallen
!
”
“
Sire
,
”
said
Parthenius
,
“
I
haste
to
obey
and
pray
the
Gods
that
in
spite
of
thunder
and
lightning
you
may
sleep
sound
and
not
wake
.
”
The
Emperor
walked
to
the
clepsydra
,
and
laughed
scornfully
.
“
The
bolt
of
Jove
has
missed
me
,
”
said
he
.
“
The
red-handed
One
made
a
mistake
.
I
am
wont
to
be
in
bed
at
this
hour
—
by
good
luck
,
this
night
I
was
not
.
He
has
levelled
his
bolt
at
my
pillow
and
burnt
that
—
I
am
escaped
scot-free
.
Now
I
have
no
further
fear
.
”
“
The
temple
of
your
divine
family
is
in
flames
.
”
“
What
care
I
?
I
will
rebuild
it
—
the
majesty
,
the
divinity
of
the
Flavians
resides
not
in
stones
and
marble
—
it
is
incorporate
in
Me
.
I
may
have
been
in
danger
for
a
moment
.
Now
I
snap
my
fingers
in
the
face
of
that
blunderer
Jove
,
who
burnt
a
hole
in
my
pillow
instead
of
transfixing
my
head
.
And
yon
old
Chronos
—
”
he
made
a
sign
of
contempt
towards
scythed
Time
,
“
I
defy
thee
and
thy
bucket
of
blood
.
Twelve
o’clock
!
In
spite
of
Jove’s
bolt
,
and
the
summons
of
Cornelia
—
I
shall
be
asleep
by
that
hour
.
”
“
I
pray
the
Gods
it
may
be
so
.
”
Then
Domitian
went
out
precipitately
.
His
defiant
attitude
,
his
daring
talk
did
not
serve
to
disguise
the
alarm
which
he
felt
.
Suddenly
,
after
having
left
the
room
he
turned
,
came
back
and
said
,
“
Domitia
!
What
sword
is
that
?
What
need
has
a
woman
with
a
sword
?
”
He
pointed
to
that
of
Corbulo
,
suspended
against
the
wall
.
He
went
to
it
and
took
it
down
.
“
Leave
it
,
”
said
she
harshly
.
“
It
is
that
on
which
my
father
fell
.
It
is
stained
likewise
with
the
blood
of
Nero
.
”
He
held
it
by
the
scabbard
.
She
caught
the
handle
and
,
as
he
turned
,
drew
forth
the
blade
.
At
the
same
moment
he
heard
steps
in
the
passage
approaching
the
door
,
and
without
noticing
that
he
held
but
the
sheath
,
or
else
purposing
to
demand
the
weapon
itself
later
,
when
the
interruption
was
over
,
he
walked
towards
the
entrance
uttering
an
expression
of
impatience
,
holding
the
empty
scabbard
in
his
right
hand
.
In
the
doorway
stood
Stephanus
,
a
freedman
,
the
steward
of
Flavia
Domitilla
,
wife
,
or
rather
widow
of
Clemens
,
whom
Domitian
had
recently
put
to
death
.
Domitilla
had
been
exiled
,
and
the
Emperor
had
appropriated
to
his
own
use
the
estates
of
his
kinsman
.
“
Why
camest
thou
hither
?
”
asked
the
prince
roughly
.
“
I
shall
have
enough
to
say
to
thee
on
the
morrow
because
of
thy
embezzlements
.
”
“
Augustus
!
I
am
innocent
.
”
“
A
thief
,
a
vile
purloiner
,
a
blood-sucking
leech
,
that
has
fattened
as
do
all
thy
kind
on
thy
masters
.
Go
thy
way
—
I
want
thee
not
here
.
”
And
striding
towards
him
,
with
Corbulo’s
scabbard
he
struck
the
freedman
across
the
face
.
Stephanus
uttered
a
cry
of
rage
and
pain
,
and
instantly
smote
at
the
Emperor
with
a
dagger
he
had
held
concealed
in
his
sleeve
.
“
What
,
hound
!
You
dare
!
You
shall
be
flayed
alive
!
Ho
!
to
my
aid
!
”
Stephanus
threw
himself
on
the
Emperor
.
Then
Domitia
stepped
between
the
struggling
men
and
the
doorway
,
and
with
one
hand
drew
together
the
curtains
so
as
to
muffle
the
cries
.
“
To
my
aid
!
to
my
aid
!
”
called
Domitian
,
as
the
powerful
steward
grappled
him
,
and
struck
his
dagger
into
the
thigh
of
the
prince
.
“
To
my
aid
!
Ho
,
a
sword
!
”
shouted
the
Emperor
,
and
he
grasped
the
weapon
of
the
steward
but
so
that
,
holding
the
blade
with
his
hand
,
the
weapon
cut
it
across
and
the
blood
streamed
forth
.
He
now
made
an
effort
to
reach
the
doorway
;
and
the
steward
,
holding
him
,
strove
to
wrench
away
the
dagger
and
inflict
a
mortal
wound
.
But
Domitian
,
aware
of
his
object
,
with
his
bleeding
hand
retained
his
grasp
of
the
blade
.
All
at
once
,
the
Emperor
let
go
his
hold
,
and
seizing
the
steward
by
the
head
drove
his
thumbs
into
his
eyes
.
Stephanus
instantly
dropped
the
dagger
in
his
attempt
to
save
himself
from
being
blinded
.
The
two
men
twisted
and
writhed
in
grapple
with
each
other
.
The
freedman
was
a
powerful
man
—
it
was
for
this
reason
he
had
been
sent
to
despatch
the
prince
.
But
Domitian
was
battling
for
his
life
.
Though
his
legs
were
thin
and
out
of
proportion
to
his
body
,
he
was
a
strong
man
—
he
had
ever
maintained
his
vigor
by
exercise
of
the
muscles
and
had
never
weakened
himself
by
excess
in
eating
and
drinking
.
By
a
happy
turn
he
flung
Stephanus
,
but
clasped
by
him
fell
with
him
on
the
floor
.
And
now
the
two
men
rolled
and
tossed
in
a
tangled
mass
together
.
Their
snorts
and
gasps
and
the
bestial
growl
of
rage
filled
the
room
.
“
Quick
!
Domitia
—
the
sword
!
At
once
—
the
sword
—
the
sword
!
”
said
the
Emperor
.
He
spoke
in
gulps
and
gasps
.
He
had
Stephanus
under
him
;
his
knee
was
on
his
chest
and
his
hand
,
the
gashed
left
hand
flowing
with
blood
,
contracted
the
prostrate
man’s
throat
.
“
Domitia
!
the
sword
!
”
But
she
stood
,
stern
,
cold
,
without
stirring
a
step
,
and
she
folded
the
sword
of
her
father
to
her
breast
,
with
her
arms
crossed
over
it
.
“
Because
of
Paris
—
No
!
”
“
The
sword
!
be
speedy
.
I
will
finish
him
!
”
“
Because
of
Cornelia
—
No
!
”
“
Domitia
—
help
!
”
“
Because
of
Lucius
Lamia
—
No
!
”
She
went
to
the
curtains
,
drew
them
apart
,
and
called
down
the
passage
to
Norbanus
.
The
two
Prætorian
præfects
were
there
with
the
chamberlains
—
but
they
were
ill
able
to
restrain
the
guard
who
suspected
that
their
prince
and
Emperor
was
in
danger
and
scented
treachery
.
Instantly
a
rush
was
made
.
Some
of
the
soldiers
,
with
the
præfect
Norbanus
,
came
on
running
,
whilst
the
other
,
Petronius
Secundus
,
endeavored
by
his
authority
to
restrain
the
rest
.
But
from
the
other
end
of
the
passage
came
gladiators
running
,
hastily
brought
together
by
Parthenius
.
For
a
moment
there
was
a
jam
in
the
doorway
,
a
burly
gladiator
and
a
soldier
of
the
guard
were
wedged
together
,
each
endeavoring
to
hold
the
other
back
and
force
himself
in
.
Meanwhile
Petronius
continued
to
exhort
his
soldiers
to
stand
back
,
and
Parthenius
to
promise
rewards
to
the
gladiators
who
pressed
on
.
The
tumult
became
terrible
.
Men
came
to
blows
without
,
there
was
a
running
together
of
slaves
and
freedmen
—
of
frightened
women
and
pages
from
all
sides
.
Some
had
leaped
from
their
beds
,
roused
from
sleep
,
and
were
not
clothed
.
Some
bore
lamps
—
but
again
certain
others
attempted
to
extinguish
the
lights
.
Some
cried
“
Treason
!
”
Others
“
Away
with
the
monster
!
”
Some
called
out
“
Nerva
is
the
Emperor
!
”
others
“
Domitian
is
the
Augustus
!
”
Then
the
gladiator
at
the
door
,
by
dint
of
elbowing
,
forced
his
way
within
,
but
he
was
unarmed
.
Next
moment
the
Prætorian
guardsman
held
back
by
the
gladiator
entered
and
struck
at
Stephanus
,
dealing
a
frightful
blow
.
Relieved
by
this
assistance
,
Domitian
staggered
to
his
feet
and
glared
about
him
.
He
was
too
much
out
of
breath
to
speak
,
and
in
at
the
door
came
others
pressing
,
some
crying
one
thing
,
some
another
.
Then
Domitia
unfolded
her
arms
,
and
taking
the
sword
of
Corbulo
in
her
right
hand
,
extended
it
to
the
gladiator
and
said
—
“
Make
an
end
.
”
The
man
snatched
at
the
haft
;
and
with
a
blow
drove
the
blade
into
the
breast
of
the
Emperor
.
Still
the
prince
remained
standing
,
and
stretched
forth
his
hands
gropingly
for
a
weapon
.
Parmenas
leaped
at
him
,
and
with
a
knife
struck
him
in
the
throat
.
Then
he
reeled
;
in
another
moment
he
was
surrounded
,
blows
from
all
sides
were
rained
on
him
.
Again
the
sword
of
Corbulo
was
lifted
and
again
smote
,
and
he
fell
as
a
heap
on
the
body
of
Stephanus
.
For
a
moment
there
was
stillness
.
Then
in
that
hush
sounded
a
click
and
a
gush
.
The
bucket
of
the
clepsydra
had
discharged
,
and
with
a
jerk
Saturn
raised
his
scythe
and
pointed
to
the
hour
of
midnight
.
“
He
has
answered
his
summons
before
the
seat
of
Divine
Justice
!
”
said
Domitia
.
She
stooped
and
plucked
the
signet
ring
from
the
finger
of
the
murdered
prince
.
CHAPTER
XIV
.
IN
THE
TULLIANUM
.
No
sooner
had
Domitia
got
the
signet
from
the
finger
of
the
dead
Emperor
,
than
she
hastened
from
the
room
,
trembling
,
almost
blind
as
to
her
course
,
but
armed
with
more
than
her
natural
strength
to
force
her
way
through
those
who
filled
the
passage
.
Parmenas
was
now
there
,
and
he
cleared
a
way
for
her
,
and
in
a
loud
voice
forbade
any
of
the
slaves
to
leave
the
palace
;
Petronius
at
the
same
time
gave
orders
to
the
soldiers
of
the
guard
to
remain
where
they
were
,
keeping
watch
that
none
left
to
spread
the
tidings
,
until
Cocceius
Nerva
had
been
communicated
with
,
and
the
Senate
had
been
summoned
.
Domitia
,
however
,
made
her
way
from
among
the
excited
and
alarmed
throng
,
and
finding
some
of
her
own
slaves
,
bade
them
