all complain to the Council and write to Caesar how
you presume to behave to a Macedonian citizen."

As soon as the steward had quitted the room, Hadrian freed the dog,
which flew raging at the door which was closed between him and the
object of his aversion. Hadrian ordered him to be quiet, and then
turning to his companion, he exclaimed:

"A perfect monster of a man! to the last degree ridiculous, and at the
same time repulsive. How his rage seethed in him, and yet could not
break out fairly and thoroughly. I am always on my guard with such
obstinate fools. Pay attention to my Argus, and remember, we are in
Egypt, the land of poison, as Homer long since said. Mastor must keep
his eyes open--Here he is at last."

CHAPTER XV.

After the Emperor's body-slave had started up to go to the aid of
Selene, who was attacked by his sovereign's dog, something had happened
to him which he could not forget; he had received an impression which
he could not wipe out, and words and tones had stirred his mind and soul
which incessantly echoed in them, so that it was in a preoccupied and
half-dreamy way that he had done his master those little services which
he was accustomed to perform every morning, briskly and with complete
attention.

Summer and winter Mastor was accustomed to leave his master's bedroom
before sunrise to prepare everything that Hadrian could need when he
rose from his slumbers. There was the gold plating to clean on the
narrow greaves and the leather straps which belonged to his master's
military boots, his clothes to air and to perfume with the slight,
hardly perceptible scent that he liked, but the preparations for
Hadrian's bath were what took up most of his time. At Lochias there
were not as yet--as there were in the imperial palace at
Rome--properly-filled baths; still his servant knew that here, as there,
his master would use a due abundance of water. He had been told that if
he required anything for his master he was to apply to Pontius. Him
he found, without seeking him, outside the room meant for Hadrian's
sitting-room, to which, while the Emperor still slept, he was
endeavoring, with the help of his assistants, to give a comfortable and
pleasing aspect. The architect referred the slave to the workmen who
were busy laying the pavement in the forecourt of the palace; these
men would carry in for him as much water as ever he could need. The
body-servant's position relieved him of such humble dutie