ruth this hour seemed a long way off.

Also there were other things. At the great sacrifice before the temple
of Jupiter, his place had been set too far back where the people could
not see him; at the feast which followed the master of the ceremonies
had neglected, or had forgotten, to pour a libation in his honour.

Further, the beautiful captive, Pearl-Maiden, had appeared in the
procession unadorned by the costly girdle which he had sent her; while,
last of all, the different wines that he had drunk had disagreed with
him, so that because of them, or of the heat of the sun, he suffered
from the headache and sickness to which he was liable. Pleading this
indisposition as an excuse, Domitian left the banquet very early, and
attended by his slaves and musicians retired to his own palace.

Here his spirits revived somewhat, since he knew that before long his
chamberlain, Saturius, would appear with the lovely Jewish maiden
upon whom he had set his fancy. This at least was certain, for he had
arranged that the auction should be held that evening and instructed
him to buy her at all costs, even for a thousand sestertia. Indeed, who
would dare to bid for a slave that the Prince Domitian desired?

Learning that Saturius had not yet arrived, he went to his private
chambers, and to pass away the time commanded his most beautiful slaves
to dance before him, where he inflamed himself by drinking more wine of
a vintage that he loved. As the fumes of the strong liquor mounted to
his brain the pains in his head ceased, at any rate for a while. Very
soon he became half-drunk, and as was his nature when in drink, savage.
One of the dancing slaves stumbled and growing nervous stepped out of
time, whereon he ordered the poor half-naked girl to be scourged before
him by the hands of her own companions. Happily for her, however, before
the punishment began a slave arrived with the intelligence that Saturius
waited without.

"What, alone?" said the prince, springing to his feet.

"Nay, lord," said the slave, "there is a woman with him."

At this news instantly his ill-temper was forgotten.

"Let that girl go," he said, "and bid her be more careful another time.
Away, all the lot of you, I wish to be private. Now, slave, bid the
worthy Saturius enter with his charge."

Presently the curtains were drawn apart and through them came Saturius
rubbing his hands and smiling somewhat nervously, followed by a woman
wrapped in a long cloak