, and Apollinaris's misfortune had disgusted him no
less than the order in the execution of which he was now obliged to take
part. Having greeted the brothers affectionately, observed their painful
emotion, and heard their complaints over the murder of their slave, he
shook his manly head, and pointing to the blood that dripped from his
boots and greaves, "Forgive me for thus defiling your apartments," he
said. "If we came from slaughtering men upon the field of battle, it
could only do honor to the soldier; but this is the blood of defenseless
citizens, and even women's gore is mixed with it."

"I saw the body of the lady of this house," said Nemesianus, gloomily.
"She has tended my brother like a mother."

"But, on the other hand, she was imprudent enough to draw down Caesar's
displeasure upon her," interposed the Flavian, shrugging his shoulders.
"We were to bring her to him alive, but he had anything but friendly
intentions toward her; however, she spoiled his game. A wonderful woman!
I have scarcely seen a man look death--and self-sought death--in the
face like that! While the soldiers down there were massacring all who
fell into their hands--those were the orders, and I looked on at
the butchery, for, rather than--well, you can imagine that for
yourselves--through one of the doors there came a tall, extraordinary
figure. The wide brim of a traveling hat concealed the features, and it
was wrapped in one of the emperor's fool's mantles. It hurried toward
the maniple of Sempronius, brandishing a javelin, and with a sonorous
voice reviling the soldiers till even my temper was roused. Here I
caught sight of a flowing robe beneath the caracalla, and, the
hat having fallen back, a beautiful woman's face with large and
fear-inspiring eyes. Then it suddenly flashed upon me that this grim
despiser of death, being a woman, was doubtless she whom we were to
spare. I shouted this to my men; but--and at that moment I was heartily
ashamed of my profession--it was too late. Tall Rufus pierced her
through with his lance. Even in falling she preserved the dignity of
a queen, and when the men surrounded her she fixed each one separately
with her wonderful eyes and spoke through the death-rattle in her
throat:

"'Shame upon men and soldiers who let themselves be hounded on like dogs
to murder and dishonor!' Rufus raised his sword to make an end of her,
but I caught his arm and knelt beside her, begging her to let me see to
her wou