where contradiction or approval might further inflame
overheated tempers.

And he ordered his slaves to pour the wine with a free hand, and himself
was ready to pledge every one of his guests over and over again for as
long as they were ready to drink.

Inside the room the heat had become excessive, the evening air only
entered through narrow windows, and the gentle breeze did no more than
fan the flames of the oil lamps or make the petals of dying roses
tremble and fall. The noise grew louder and louder as the fumes of heady
wines obscured the brains of these makers of future empires. Slaves were
called for loudly to undo the tunics and to help cast off all but the
necessary garments.

Every face round the table now was flushed and moist; every forehead
streaming with perspiration. Escanes, goblet in hand, was singing a
ribald song, the chorus of which was taken up by the group of young men
nearest to him. The older ones were making insane bets and driving
preposterous bargains over horses and slaves.

By the time that the slaves had returned with the tablets the praetorian
praefect had cause to be satisfied with the temper of his guests. Coarse
jests and drunken oaths were heard more often than whispered serious
talk, the names of popular gladiators seemed of more account than those
of future Caesars. Arguments were loud and violent; every mouth
slobbered, every lip trembled and every eye glowed with unnatural
brightness: curls were dishevelled and laurel crowns awry; the silken
draperies on the couches had become tattered rags and the cushions were
scattered all about the floor; debris of crystal vases littered the
table and bunches of dying flowers were tossed about by unsteady hands.

Given a little more time, a few more draughts of Sicilian wine, and all
thoughts of voting for a future Caesar would be beyond the mental power
of these degenerates, and drunken quarrels would turn to violent enmity.
This Caius Nepos had in mind when he took the tablets from the slaves,
and threw them down with affected carelessness on the table before him.

"We cannot vote," he said loudly, "whilst Taurus Antinor is not here."

His words were even more potent than he had hoped; all that he had
wanted was further delay, and most of his guests nodded approval with
drunken solemnity and then called for more wine. But Hortensius Martius
who, though he had drunk as heavily as the others, had not joined in the
ribald songs or the se