aping down and letting the
rascal feel the weight of his fists. He knew, too, that Tarautas was the
name of a hateful and bloodthirsty gladiator which had been given as a
nickname to Caesar in Rome; and when he heard the insolent fellow's cry
taken up by the mob, who shouted after him, "Tarautas's brother-in-law!"
wherever he went, he felt as though he were being pelted with mire and
stones.

It would have been a real comfort to him if the earth would have opened
to swallow him with the chariot, to hide him from the sight of men. He
could have burst out crying like a child that has been beaten. When at
last he was safe inside Seleukus's house, he was easier; for here he was
known; here he would be understood. Berenike must know what he thought of
Caesar's suit, and seeing her wholesome and honest hatred, he had sworn
to himself that he would snatch his sister from the hands of the tyrant,
if it were to lead him to the most agonizing death.

While she was engaged in selecting a dress for her protegee, he related
to the lady Euryale what had happened to him in the street and in the
house of Seleukus. He had been conducted past the soldiers in the
vestibule and impluvium to the lady's private rooms, and there he had
been witness to a violent matrimonial dispute. Seleukus had previously
delivered to his wife Caesar's command that she should appear in the
Amphitheater with the other noble dames of the city. Her answer was a
bitter laugh, and a declaration that she would mingle with the spectators
in none but mourning robes. Thereupon her husband, pointing out to her
the danger to which such conduct would expose them, had raised
objections, and she at last had seemed to yield. When Alexander joined
her he had found her in a splendid dress of shining purple brocade, her
black hair crowned with a wreath of roses, and a splendid diadem; a
garland of roses hung across her bosom, and precious stones sparkled
round her throat and arms. In short, she was arrayed like a happy mother
for her daughter's wedding-day.

Soon after Alexander's arrival Seleukus had come in, and this
conspicuously handsome dress, so unbecoming to the matron's age, and so
unlike her usual attire-chosen, evidently, to put the monstrosity of
Caesar's demand in the strongest light--had roused her husband's wrath.
He had expressed his dissatisfaction in strong terms, and again pointed
out to her the danger in which such a daring demonstration might involve
the