ancy-which comes of disappointment. Tarautas had
originally been the name of a stunted but particularly bloodthirsty
gladiator, in whom ill-will had traced some resemblance to Caesar.

The more remarkable figures in the imperial train were curiously gazed
at and discussed. A worker in mosaic, who stood near Melissa, had been
employed in the decoration of the baths of Caracalla at Rome, and had
much information to impart; he even knew the names of several of the
senators and courtiers attached to Caesar. And, with all this, time was
found to give vent to discontent.

The town had done its utmost to make itself fine enough to receive the
emperor. Statues had been erected of himself, of his father, his mother,
and even of his favorite heroes, above all of Alexander the Great;
triumphal arches without number had been constructed. The vast halls
of the Serapeum, through which he was to pass, had been magnificently
decorated; and in front of the new temple, outside the Kanopic Gate,
dedicated to his father, who now ranked among the gods, the elders of
the town had been received by Caesar, to do him homage and offer him the
gifts of the city. All this had cost many talents, a whole heap of gold;
but Alexandria was wealthy, and ready to make even greater sacrifices if
only they had been accepted with thanks and condescension. But a young
actor, who had been a spectator of the scene at the Kanopic Gate, and
had then hurried hither, declared, with dramatic indignation, that
Caesar had only replied in a few surly words to the address of the
senate, and even while he accepted the gift had looked as if he were
being ill-used. The delegates had retired as though they had been
condemned to death. To none but Timotheus, the high-priest of Serapis,
had he spoken graciously.

Others confirmed this report; and dissatisfaction found expression in
muttered abuse or satirical remarks and bitter witticisms.

"Why did he drive past so quickly?" asked a tailor's wife; and some one
replied:

"Because the Eumenides, who haunt him for murdering his brother, lash
him on with their whips of snakes!"

A spice-merchant; who was not less indignant but more cautious, hearing
a neighbor inquire why Tarautas drove panther-spotted horses, replied
that such beasts of prey had spotted skins, and that like to like was
a common rule. A cynical philosopher, who proclaimed his sect by his
ragged garment, unkempt hair, and rough mode of speech, declared tha