l. However, he felt that
Flavia's wishes must be carried out; whatever the danger might be, it
was less serious than the certainty of losing that lady's favour unless
he humoured her whims.

His family was far less distinguished than hers, and her approval of his
suit with Julia was an unexpected piece of good fortune which he owed,
as he knew, principally to the fact that Gracchus wished to marry
his daughter to Julius Marcius, who had deeply offended Flavia by an
outspoken expression of opinion, that the Roman ladies mingled too much
in public affairs, and that they ought to be content to stay at home and
rule their households and slaves.

He knew that he would have no difficulty with his father. The praetor
was most anxious that his son should make an alliance with the house
of Gracchus, and it was the custom that such prisoners taken in war,
as were not sacrificed to the gods, should be given as slaves to the
nobles. As yet the great contests in the arena, which cost the lives
of such vast numbers of prisoners taken in war, were not instituted.
Occasional combats, indeed, took place, but these were on a small scale,
and were regarded rather as a sacrifice to Mars than as an amusement for
the people.

Sempronius accordingly took his way moodily home. The praetor had just
returned, having seen Malchus and the officers lodged in prison, while
the men were set to work on the fortifications. Sempronius stated
Flavia's request. The praetor looked doubtful.

"I had intended," he said, "to have kept the officers in prison until
the senate decided what should be done with them; but, of course, if
Flavia has set her mind on it I must strain a point. After all there
is no special reason why the prisoners should be treated differently to
others. Of course I cannot send the leader of the party to Flavia and
let the others remain in prison. As there are two of them I will send
them as presents to two of the principal families in Rome, so that
if any question arises upon the subject I shall at once have powerful
defenders; at any rate, it will not do to offend Flavia."

Malchus, as he was led through the streets of Rome, had been making
comparisons by no means to the favour of Carthage. The greater
simplicity of dress, the absence of the luxury which was so unbridled at
Carthage, the plainness of the architecture of the houses, the free and
manly bearing of the citizens, all impressed him. Rough as was the crowd
who jeered a