the lictor called him
away, and I will wager my own head that he will have the other side
frizzled before he comes back. I know your true Greek!"

"Well, let him," answered Titianus. "If you have taken his measure
rightly he will not be able to give his attention without reserve to our
questions till the other half of his hair is curled. I know, too, how to
deal with a Hellene."

"Better than I, I perceive," said the architect in a tone of conviction.
"A statesman is used to deal with men as we do with lifeless materials.
Did you see the fat fellow turn pale when you said that it would be but
a few days before the Emperor would make his entry here? Things must
look well in the old house there. Every hour is precious, and we have
lingered here too long."

The prefect nodded agreement and followed the architect into the inner
court of the palace. How grand and well-proportioned was the plan of
this immense building through which the steward Keraunus, who returned
with his fine curls complete all round, now led the Romans. It stood on
an artificial hill in the midst of the peninsula of Lochias, and from
many a window and many a balcony there were lovely prospects of the
streets and open squares, the houses, palaces and public buildings of
the metropolis, and of the harbor, swarming with ships. The outlook from
Lochias was rich, gay and varied to the south and west, but east and
north from the platform of the palace of the Ptolemies, the gaze fell
on the never-wearying prospect of the eternal sea, limited only by the
vault of heaven. When Hadrian had sent a special messenger from Mount
Kasius to desire his prefect Titianus to have this particular building
prepared for his reception, he knew full well what advantages its
position offered; it was the part of his officials to restore order in
the interior of the palace, which had remained uninhabited from the time
of Cleopatra's downfall. He gave them for the purpose eight, or perhaps
nine, days--little more than a week. And in what a condition did
Titianus and Pontius find this now dilapidated and plundered scene of
former magnificence--the sweat pouring from their foreheads with their
exertions as they inspected and sketched, questioned and made notes of
it all.

The pillars and steps in the interior were tolerably well preserved,
but the rain had poured in through the open roofs of the banqueting and
reception-lulls, the fine mosaic pavements had started here and there