ariots or litters.

For the lovers this was a very different scene from the terrible one
they had just witnessed in the Circus, for, in spite of the narrow
space and total darkness in which they sat, and the rain rattling and
splashing on the dripping black leather hood which sheltered them, in
their hearts they did not lack for sunshine. Caracalla's saying that the
lightning, too, was light, proved true more than once in the course
of their drive, for the vivid flashes which still followed in quick
succession enabled the reunited lovers to exchange many confidences with
their eyes, for which it would have been hard to find words. When both
parties to a quarrel are conscious of blame, it is more quickly made up
than when one only needs forgiveness; and the pair in the carruca were
so fully prepared to think the best of each other that there was no need
for Alexander's good offices to make them ready and willing to renew
their broken pledges. Besides, each had cause to fear for the other; for
Diodoros was afraid that the lady Euryale's power was not far-reaching
enough to conceal Melissa from Caesar's spies, and Melissa trembled at
the thought that the physician might too soon betray to Caesar that she
had been betrothed before he had ever seen her, and to whom; for, in
that case, Diodoros would be the object of relentless pursuit. So she
urged on her lover to embark, if possible, this very night.

Hitherto Alexander had taken no part in the conversation. He could not
forget the reception he had met with outside the amphitheatre. Euryale's
presence had saved his sister from evil imputations, but had not
helped him; and even his gay spirits could make no head against the
consciousness of being regarded by his fellow-citizens as a hired
traitor. He had withdrawn to one of the back seats to see the
performance; for as soon as the theatre was suddenly lighted up, he had
become the object of dark looks and threatening gestures. For the first
time in his life he had felt compassion for the criminals torn by wild
beasts, and for the wounded gladiators, whose companion in misfortune
he vaguely felt himself to be. But, what was worst of all, he could not
regard himself as altogether free from the reproach of having accepted a
reward for the service he had so thoughtlessly rendered.

Nor did he see the remotest possibility of ever making those whose
opinion he cared for understand how it had come to pass that he should
have acce