; art set there slave, to gape at
the praefect, or to do thy duty to the State that employs thee? Is there
a higher bid for the maid? She pleaseth me, and I'll give sixty or an
hundred for her. This is a public auction as by law directed. I appeal
to thee, oh Taurus Antinor, to give orders to thy slaves, ere I appeal
to my kinsman, the Emperor, for the restoration of a due administration
of the law."

Those who had cause to know and to fear the praefect's varying moods,
were ready to shrink away now from the threatening darkness of his
glance. He seemed indeed like some tawny wild beast, chained and
scorned, whom a child was teasing from a point of vantage just beyond
the reach of his powerful jaws.

She was so well within her rights and he so absolutely in the wrong as
far as the law was concerned, that he knew at once that he must
inevitably give way. If Dea Flavia chose to desire a slave she could
satisfy the caprice, since no man's fortune could hold out against her
own. This too did the praefect know. He himself was passing rich and
would gladly have paid a large sum now, that he might prove the victor
in this unequal contest but Dea Flavia had the law and boundless wealth
on her side. Taurus Antinor had only his personal authority which had
coerced the crowd, but was of no avail against this beautiful woman who
defied him openly before the plebs and before his slaves.

"Have no fear, O Dea Flavia," he said, trying to speak calmly, but his
voice trembling with the mighty effort at control, "justice hath never
yet suffered at my hands. I told thee that 'tis not a case of law here
but one of mercy. This girl's mother has toiled for years to save enough
money with which to buy the freedom of her child. She hath twenty aurei
to command, and the girl is not worth much more than that. The State
would have been satisfied, for my own purse would have made up the
deficiency. I had bought the girl myself and given her to the mother,
but the poor wretch was so proud and happy to buy her child's freedom
herself, that I allowed her to make the bid. That is this slave-girl's
story, Augusta! Thou seest that the law will not suffer, neither shall
the State be defrauded. What thou art prepared to give for the girl that
will I make good in the coffers of the State. Art satisfied, I hope!
Thou art a woman, and canst mayhap better understand than I did at first
when Menecreta threw herself at my knees."

His rugged voice softened