CHAPTER XXI: THE GAULISH SLAVE

On arriving at the mansion of Gracchus, Sempronius led Malchus to the
apartment occupied by Flavia. Her face lighted with satisfaction.

"You have done well, my Sempronius," she said; "I shall not forget your
ready gratification of my wish. So this is the young Carthaginian? My
friends will all envy me at having so handsome a youth to attend upon
me. Do you speak our tongue?" she asked graciously.

"A few words only," Malchus answered. "I speak Greek."

"It is tiresome," Flavia said, addressing Sempronius, "that I do not
know that language; but Julia has been taught it. Tell him, Sempronius,
that his duties will be easy. He will accompany me when I walk abroad,
and will stand behind me at table, and will have charge of my pets. The
young lion cub that Tiberius procured for me is getting troublesome
and needs a firm hand over him; he nearly killed one of the slaves
yesterday."

Sempronius translated Flavia's speech to Malchus.

"I shall dress him," Flavia said, "in white and gold; he will look
charming in it."

"It is hardly the dress for a slave," Sempronius ventured to object.

"I suppose I can dress him as I please. Lesbia, the wife of Emilius,
dresses her household slaves in blue and silver, and I suppose I have as
much right as she has to indulge my fancies."

"Certainly, Lady Flavia," Sempronius said reverentially. "I only thought
that such favours shown to the Carthaginian might make the other slaves
jealous."

Flavia made no answer, but waved her fan to Sempronius in token of
dismissal. The young Roman, inwardly cursing her haughty airs, took his
leave at once, and Flavia handed Malchus over to the charge of the chief
of the household, with strict directions as to the dress which was to be
obtained for him, and with orders to give the animals into his charge.

Malchus followed the man, congratulating himself that if he must serve
as a slave, at least he could hardly have found an easier situation. The
pets consisted of some bright birds from the East, a Persian greyhound,
several cats, a young bear, and a half grown lion. Of these the lion
alone was fastened up, in consequence of his attack upon the slave on
the previous day.

Malchus was fond of animals, and at once advanced boldly to the lion.
The animal crouched as if for a spring, but the steady gaze of Malchus
speedily changed its intention, and, advancing to the full length of its
chain, it rubbed itself ag