eight days?"

"And eight nights."

"But my good friend, only to get the marble--"

"Who thinks of marble? Papias will make us one of straw, rags and
gypsum--I know his magic hand--and in order that the others may not be
too unlike their new-born sister they shall be whitewashed."

"Capital--but why choose Papias when we have Harmodius?"

"Harmodius takes art in earnest, and we should have the Emperor here
before he had completed his sketches. Papias works with thirty assistants
at anything that is ordered of him, so long as it brings him money. His
last things certainly amaze me, particularly the Hygyeia for Dositheus
the Jew, and the bust of Plutarch put up in the Caesareum. they are full
of grace and power. But who can distinguish what is his work and what
that of his scholars? Enough, he knows how things should be done; and if
a good sum is to be got by it he will hew you out a whole sea-fight in
marble in five days."

"Then give Papias the commission but the hapless mutilated pavements-what
will you do with them?"

"Gypsum and paint must mend them," said Pontius, "and where that will not
do, we must lay carpets on the floor in the Eastern fashion. Merciful
night! how dark it is growing; give me the plan Keraunus and provide us
with torches and lamps for to-day, and the next following ones must have
twenty-four hours apiece, full measure. I must ask you for half a dozen
trustworthy slaves Titianus; I shall want them for messengers. What are
you standing there for man? Lights, I said. You have had half a lifetime
to rest in, and when Caesar is gone you will have as many more years for
the same laudable purpose--"

As he spoke the steward had silently gone off, but the architect did not
spare him the end of the sentence; he shouted after him:

"Unless by that time you are smothered in your own fat. Is it Nile-mud or
blood that runs in that huge mortal's veins?"

"I am sure I do not care," said the prefect, "so long as the glorious
fire that flows in yours only holds out till the work is done. Do not
allow yourself to be overworked at first, nor require the impossible of
your strength, for Rome and the world still expect great things of you. I
can now write in perfect security to the Emperor that all will be ready
for him in Lochias, and as a farewell speech, I can only say, it is folly
to be discouraged if only Pontius is at hand to support and assist me."

CHAPTER III.

The prefect ordered the lic