d the praefect of Rome now alive or dead," she murmured,
"then surely would they murder the Caesar and make of the praefect their
Emperor if he lived, their god if he were dead!"

Dea Flavia cast a quick glance all round her. The atrium itself was
deserted, even though from every side beyond its colonnaded arcade came
the sound of many voices and those persistent, cowardly groanings which
set the young girl's nerves tingling and caused her heart to sink within
her, with the presage of impending doom.

Only in the vestibule the watchmen sat alert and prepared to guard the
Augusta's house; they were gossiping among themselves and seemed the
only men in the place who were not wholly panic-stricken.

The hum of their voices sounded quite reassuring in the midst of the
senseless groans of terror which came from the women's quarters near the
Augusta's rooms, as well as from the men in the more remote parts of the
house.

After that brief moment of hesitation Dea went resolutely toward the
studio. She crossed its small vestibule and pushed open the door.

Dion was sitting there on guard as the Augusta had commanded. He rose
when she entered.

"The praefect?" she asked hurriedly.

"He sleeps," replied the man.

"Art sure?"

"I peeped in but a few moments ago. His eyes are closed. I think that he
sleeps."

"I would wish to make sure," she said curtly.

Too well-trained, or mayhap too indifferent to show surprise at so
strange a desire on the part of the great and gracious Augusta, Dion
stood aside respectfully to allow her to pass, then he followed her to
the door of the inner room and held aside the heavy curtain, whilst she
put her hand upon the latch.

"Dion," she said, turning back to him, "yesterday I gave thee thy
freedom, since thou didst serve me well."

"Aye, gracious lady," replied the man as he bent the knee in submissive
respect, "and I would kiss thy feet for this, thy graciousness."

"When the city is once more at peace, we'll before the quaestor, and
thou and Nolus and Blanca shall all be declared free. But to-day thou
art still my slave and must obey me in all things."

"As thou dost command, gracious lady."

"Then, 'tis silence that I do enjoin on thee, Dion," she said earnestly,
"silence as to the praefect's presence in my house, until I bid thee
speak: on pain of death, Dion, for thou art still my slave."

"I understand, gracious lady."

"Then wait for me now and on peril of thy life all