cared for, in Upper Egypt. He found these pictures
monotonous and unlovely, and he had not the patience to investigate
their meaning as his master did. He had been a hundred times into
the ancient rock-tombs, only not to leave Hadrian and not for his own
amusement; but to-day--he could hardly bear himself for impatience and
excitement, for he knew that a ride, a walk, of a few hours, would carry
him to Besa and to Selene. The Emperor would remain absent three or four
hours at any rate, and if he made up his mind to it he could have sought
out the girl for whom his heart was longing before his return, and still
be back again before his master.

But before acting he must reflect. There was the Emperor climbing the
hill-side where he could see him, and messengers were expected and he
had been charged to receive them. It they should bring bad news, his
master must on no account be alone. Ten times did he go up to his
good hunter to leap upon his back; once he even took down the horse's
head-gear to put on his bridle, but in the very act of slipping the
complicated bit between the teeth of his steed his resolution gave way.
During all this delay and hesitation the minutes slipped away, and at
last it was so late that Hadrian might return and it was folly to think
of carrying his plan into execution. The expected express arrived with
several letters, but the Emperor did not come back. It grew dark, and
heavy rain-drops fell from the overcast sky, and still Antinous
was alone. His anxious longing was mingled with regret for the lost
opportunity of seeing Selene and alarm at the Emperor's prolonged
absence.

In spite of the rain, which began to fill more violently, he went out
into the open air, of which the sweltering oppressiveness had helped to
fetter his feeble volition, and called to the dogs, with whose help he
proposed seeking the Emperor; but just then he heard the bark of Argus,
and soon after Hadrian and Mastor stepped out of the darkness into the
brightness which shone out from the tent, where lights were burning.

The Emperor gave his favorite but a brief greeting and silently
submitted while Antinous dried his hair and brought him some
refreshments, and Mastor bathed his feet and dressed him in fresh
garments. As he reclined with the Bithyman, before the supper which was
standing ready, he said:

"A strange evening! how hot and oppressive the atmosphere is. We must be
on the lookout, something serious is brewin