somewhat reassured, "and will take some time to make."

"Therefore will I trust to inspiration," he rejoined blandly.

"The gods no doubt will speak when the time comes."

"Aye! They will thunder forth their decree at midday to-morrow," said
Caligula, with well-assumed majesty.

"To-morrow, O my lord?"

"Thou hast said it. I have a fancy to make known my decree in this
matter during the games at the Circus to-morrow. So put on thy richest
gown, O Dea Flavia Augusta," he added with a sneer, "so as to appear
pleasing in thy future husband's sight."

"My gracious lord is pleased to jest," she said, all her fears returning
to her in a moment with an overwhelming rush that made her sick with
horror.

"Jest!" he retorted with a snarl, showing his yellow teeth like a hyena
on the prowl, "nay! I never was so earnest in my life. Is not the future
of my beloved ward of supreme importance to me?"

"Nay, then, good my lord," she pleaded earnestly, her young voice
trembling, her blue eyes fixed appealingly on the callous wretch, "I do
beg of thy mightiness to give me time ... to think ... to ..."

"I have done all the thinking," he broke in roughly, "thou hast but to
obey."

"Indeed, indeed," she entreated, "I have no wish to disobey ... but my
gracious lord ... do I pray thee deign to consider ..."

"Silence, wench!" he shouted, with a violent oath, for what he deemed
her resistance was exasperating his fury and reawakened all his former
suspicions of her guilt. "Cease thy senseless whining.... I, thine
Emperor, have spoken. Let that suffice. Who art thou that I should
parley with thee? To-morrow thou'lt go to the Circus. Dost hear? And
until then remain on thy knees praying to the gods to pardon thy
rebellion against Caesar."

And with an air which he strove to render majestic he turned on his heel
and prepared to go. But in a moment she was down on her knees, her hands
clutching his robe. She would not let him go, not now, not yet, whilst
she had not exhausted every prayer, every argument, that would soften
his heart towards her.

"My gracious lord," she pleaded, whilst her trembling voice was almost
choked with sobs, "for pity's sake do hear me! I am not rebellious, nor
disobedient to thy will! I am only a humble maid who holds all her
happiness from thee! My gracious lord thou art great, and thou art
mighty, thou art kind and just. Have mercy on me, for my whole heart is
brimming over with loyalty for thee! I am