leopard. They thanked me for saving their lives, or
at least, the life of some one of them. But they were sly about my comical
appearance while the leopard mauled and tousled me.

Two did not speak.

Vedia was cold and mute and spoke only when she rose, excusing herself to
Nemestronia and calling for her litter first of them all.

Nemestronia was so weak from the reaction after her fright and so
unwilling to display her weakness that she hardly spoke, limiting herself
to the brief words courtesy demanded.

When I reached home I forgot everything else in my solicitude for
Agathemer. I not only called for my own physician, but sent urgent
messages summoning Galen and Celsianus. Celsianus was affronted at the
suggestion that he stoop to prescribe for a slave and incensed at having
been called in haste for such a trifle: but Galen, who came in while
Celsianus was expressing his indignation, diverted his mind at once by
rejoicing that I was sufficiently recovered to take that much interest in
one of my slaves. He made haste to see, inspect and assist Agathemer: when
he was somewhat relieved and we had left him abed with Occo to watch him
and with injunctions that quiet was the best medicine for him, Galen
turned to me.

"You have had a shock," he said, "and a superabundance of excitement. Tell
me all about it."

When I had told him what had happened, omitting only Vedia's disguise and
her presence in the water-garden, he said:

"I certainly should not have prescribed any such excitements and efforts
as medicaments for a case like yours. But it sometimes happens that being
startled accomplishes more towards a cure than long rest can. Your
perturbation of mind and activity of body has cured you. You are, as far
as I can judge, well. I am of the opinion that you may safely eat and
drink what you like in moderation, rest only as you please and may resume
your normal life."

I was, naturally, much pleased, but had no impulse to resume my habits
that day. I kept indoors, denied myself to all visitors, slept long after
Galen had left, ate a moderate dinner and went early to bed.

Next day I went through the normal routine of a Roman of my rank. The
story of the leopard had been noised about and the husbands of the ladies
concerned every one came to salute me at my morning reception and to thank
me for my miraculous intervention, as they called it. As six of the eight
were senators my atrium had an aspect seldom seen at th