mortals live. Even in sleep the song
makes itself heard, and a happy choir from the land of dreams lift up
their voices about his bed."

That was better! This pleasing picture might perhaps leave some
impression on the soul of the young criminal, in whom a preference for
good could still, though rarely, be fanned to a flame. Caesar read what
Philostratus wrote, because he took pleasure in the form of his work; and
this sentence would not have been written in vain if only it should
prompt Caracalla in some cases, however few, to choose the good.

The philosopher was fully determined to do his utmost for Melissa and her
brothers. He had often brought pictures under Caesar's notice, for he was
the first living authority as a connoisseur of painting, and as having
written many descriptions of pictures. He built some hopes, too, on
Melissa's innocence; and so the worthy man, when he retired to rest,
looked forward with confidence to the work of mediation, which was by no
means devoid of danger.

But next morning it presented itself in a less promising light. The
clouded sky, the storm, and rain might have a fatal effect on Caesar's
temper; and when he heard that old Galen, after examining his patient and
prescribing certain remedies, had yesterday evening taken ship, leaving
Caracalla in a frenzy of rage which had culminated in slight convulsions,
he almost repented of his promise. However, he felt himself pledged; so
as early as possible he went to Caesar's rooms, prepared for the worst.

His gloomy anticipations were aggravated by the scene which met his eyes.

In the anteroom he found the chief men of the city and some
representative members of the Alexandrian Senate, who were anxious for an
audience of their imperial visitor. They had been commanded to attend at
an unusually early hour, and had already been kept a long time waiting.

When Philostratus--who was always free to enter Caesar's presence--made
his appearance, Caracalla was seating himself on the throne which had
been placed for him in the splendidly fitted audience-chamber. He had
come from his bath, and was wrapped in the comfortable white woolen robe
which he wore on leaving it. His "friends" as they were called, senators,
and other men of mark, stood round in considerable numbers, among them
the high-priest of Serapis. Pandion, Caesar's charioteer, was occupied,
under the sovereign's instructions, in fastening the lion's chain to the
ring fixed for the