eavens merely during
the third hour after midnight we should preserve him from trouble and
anxiety, which will torment and spoil his life. Who knows whether the
stars may not be? But even if they tell the truth, misfortune, when it
does come, always comes much too soon. Do you agree with me?"

"Your suggestion sounds a very sensible one--still I think--"

"It is both sensible and wise," said the praetor, shortly and decidedly,
interrupting the boy. "And it must be your part to hinder Hadrian
from marking the course of the stars from the end of the second to the
beginning of the fourth hour after midnight."

"My part?" cried Antinous, startled.

"Yours--for you are the only person who can accomplish it."

"I?" repeated the Bithynian, greatly perturbed. "I--disturb Caesar in
his observations!"

"It is your duty."

"But he never allows any one to disturb him at his studies, and if I
were to attempt it he would be very angry and send me off in no time.
No, no, what you ask is impossible."

"It is not only possible but imperatively necessary."

"That it certainly cannot be," replied Antinous, clasping his forehead
in his hand. "Only listen! Hadrian has known for several days past that
some great misfortune threatens him. I heard it from his own lips. If
you know him at all you must know that he gazes at the stars not merely
to rejoice in future happiness, but also to fortify himself against the
disasters which threaten him or the state. What would crush a weaker man
only serves to arm his bold spirit. He can bear all that may befall, and
it would be a crime to deceive him."

"To cloud his heart and mind would be a greater," retorted Verus.
"Devise some means of taking him away from his star-gazing for only an
hour."

"I dare not, and even if I wished it, it could not be done. Do you
suppose he follows me whenever I call?"

"But you know him; invent something which will be sure to make him come
down from his watchtower."

"I cannot invent or think of any thing."

"Nothing?" asked Verus, going close tip to the Bithynian. "You just now
gave striking proof to the contrary."

Antinous turned pale and the praetor went on:

"When you wanted to rescue the fair Selene from the lictors your swift
invention threw her into the sea!"

"She did throw herself in, as truly as that the gods--"

"Stay, stay," cried the praetor. "No perjury, at least! Selene is
living, you send her flowers, and if I should think proper t