bullocks' hearts and livers which the augurs
showed him. In the stomach of one of the oxen they had found a flint
arrow-head, and, on showing it to Caracalla, he laughed, and observed to
the high-priest Timotheus: "A shaft from Eros's quiver! A hint from the
god to offer him a sacrifice on this happy day."

After his bath he caused himself to be arrayed with peculiar care,
and then gave orders for the admittance, first, of the prefect of the
praetorians, and then of Melissa, for whom a mass of gorgeous flowers
stood ready.

But Macrinus was not to be found, although Caesar had commanded him
yesterday to give in his report before doing anything else. He had twice
come to the antechamber, but had gone away again shortly before, and had
not yet returned.

Determined to let nothing damp his spirits, Caesar merely shrugged his
shoulders, and gave orders to admit the maiden, and--should they have
accompanied her--her father and brother. But neither Melissa nor the
men had appeared as yet, though Caracalla distinctly remembered having
commanded all three to visit him after the bath, which he had taken
several hours later than usual.

Vexed, and yet endeavoring to keep his temper, he went to the window.
The sky was overcast, and a sharp wind from the sea drove the first
rain-drops in his face.

In the wide square at his feet a spectacle presented itself which would
have delighted him at another time, when in better spirits.

The younger men of the city--as many as were of Greek extraction--were
trooping in. They were divided into companies, according to the
wrestling-schools or the Circus and other societies to which they
belonged. The youths marched apart from the married men, and one could
see that they came gladly, and hoped for much enjoyment from the
events of the day. Some of the others looked less delighted. They were
unaccustomed to obey the orders of a despot, and many were ill-pleased
to lose a whole day from their work or business. But no one was
permitted to absent himself; for, when the chief citizens had invited
the emperor to visit their wrestling-schools, he replied that he
preferred to inspect the entire male youths of Alexandria in the
Stadium. This was situated close by his residence in the Serapeum, and
in this great space a spectacle would be afforded to him at one glance,
which he could otherwise only enjoy by journeying laboriously from one
gymnasium to another. He loved the strong effects produced