, and over the threshold stepped
the legate of the legion, Quintus Flavius Nobilior, in all the panoply of
war, and saluted the brothers.

Like them, he came of an old and honorable race, and was acting in place
of the prefect Macrinus, whose office in the state prevented him from
taking the military command of that mighty corps, the praetorians. Twenty
years older than the twins, and a companion-in-arms of their father, he
had managed their rapid promotion. He was their faithful friend and
patron, and Apollinaris's misfortune had disgusted him no less than the
order in the execution of which he was now obliged to take part. Having
greeted the brothers affectionately, observed their painful emotion, and
heard their complaints over the murder of their slave, he shook his manly
head, and pointing to the blood that dripped from his boots and greaves,
"Forgive me for thus defiling your apartments," he said. "If we came from
slaughtering men upon the field of battle, it could only do honor to the
soldier; but this is the blood of defenseless citizens, and even women's
gore is mixed with it."

"I saw the body of the lady of this house," said Nemesianus, gloomily.
"She has tended my brother like a mother."

"But, on the other hand, she was imprudent enough to draw down Caesar's
displeasure upon her," interposed the Flavian, shrugging his shoulders.
"We were to bring her to him alive, but he had anything but friendly
intentions toward her; however, she spoiled his game. A wonderful woman!
I have scarcely seen a man look death--and self-sought death--in the face
like that! While the soldiers down there were massacring all who fell
into their hands--those were the orders, and I looked on at the butchery,
for, rather than--well, you can imagine that for yourselves--through one
of the doors there came a tall, extraordinary figure. The wide brim of a
traveling hat concealed the features, and it was wrapped in one of the
emperor's fool's mantles. It hurried toward the maniple of Sempronius,
brandishing a javelin, and with a sonorous voice reviling the soldiers
till even my temper was roused. Here I caught sight of a flowing robe
beneath the caracalla, and, the hat having fallen back, a beautiful
woman's face with large and fear-inspiring eyes. Then it suddenly flashed
upon me that this grim despiser of death, being a woman, was doubtless
she whom we were to spare. I shouted this to my men; but--and at that
moment I was heartily ash