ourted Marcia's trivial indifference came to him more
powerfully. What a fool a man was to waste himself on some haughty
mistress who exacted all things and gave nothing! She had taken the
hand he held out, and now, suddenly, he drew her to him, and kissed her.

Then he found new occasion to marvel over the strange ways of women.
As if awakened from a dream or a part in a comedy, to some instant and
frightful peril, she wrenched herself from him and, wrapping her cloak
around her face, turned and ran like a deer through the hallway and out
into the street.

Sergius was dazed for a moment by the suddenness of it all; then he
rose.

"Quick, Smyrnus!" he called to the boy who attended on the porter.
"Follow, and bring me word where she goes."

The delay had been short, and Smyrnus was swift of foot, but when he
reached the street it was empty as far as he could see, and a dash to
each corner of the house gave no better results. Inquiries, likewise,
were unavailing, and he returned slowly and with shoulders that already
seemed to tingle under the expected rods.

Meanwhile, Agathocles had essayed to exert his authority over the
invalid, and was protesting volubly against the latter's imprudence.
Sergius was in excellent humour, despite the escape of his conquest.

"Nonsense, my Agathocles," he began, half guiltily at first, but
gaining confidence as he pursued his justification. "Do you not see,
all this has done me more good than a score of days spent in dull
reclining, with only nauseous draughts to mark the hours by? I have
learned that I am a man again, with an interest in the Republic and
myself. Surely such knowledge is worth a little risk. To-morrow, mark
you, if the gods favour me, I shall descend into the Forum and see if
nothing is to be effected against this rabble in the matter of the
elections. Had she not magnificent eyes, my Agathocles? not those of
the dull ox, as your Homer puts it, but rather of the startled fawn?"

"They seemed to me more of the fox," said the physician, dryly, "being
golden in colour and very cunning. I doubt you fathomed her smile,
though wherefore she should seek--"

"Sacrilege! Agathocles," cried Sergius, gayly; "but here comes Smyrnus.
Well, boy, where is the lair of this fox of our good Agathocles?"

The terrified boy had thrown himself upon his face.

"I hastened with all speed, master," he protested. "At your word I
flew, but she was gone, as if a god had snatc