er him.
Then the man strangely swayed and tottered in front of the very door
where the calm resolute woman had entered but a few minutes before.

"He plays the coward, he faints, curse him!" was heard on every hand,
as they saw him finally throw up his arms and fall.

"The charge is false, false!" exclaimed an erect, indignant figure with
a pale face up among the women. It was the voice of Coryna, but amidst
the clamour she was not heard except by those immediately around her.

"Hear ye the madwoman!" cried they, as they scoffed and laughed.

The emperor, disappointed and even ashamed, sat in scornful silence.
But Servilius, excited with malignant pleasure, laughed outright.

Then Titanus rose up and drew his glitter-sword. He stepped to the
very edge of the balcony, Carnion at his side, and the eyes of the
people catching sight of him, the loud storm of abuse instantly ceased.

"Too late, too late, and out of order!" Servilius fiercely cried,
fearing the rescue of the man he unjustly hated.

"He who calls my friend Tharsos a coward!" exclaimed Titanus in clear
ringing voice, "shall die. I challenge him to meet me next on the sand
of that arena!"

And Coryna was unspeakably relieved.

But no man would wantonly accept the challenge, for Titanus was agile
and strong, and was one of the most expert swordsmen in the Roman army.

There was, however, much excitement over this bold interruption and at
the announcement of the name of the prostrate man, whose high rank was
widely known.

The indignant Titanus was right--there was no cowardice. The multitude
had entirely misjudged the tactics of the brave Tharsos. The fallen
man lay quietly upon his back, with his face slightly toward the lion,
and with his dagger closely clinched in his strong right hand.

Coryna's feelings were strung to the highest pitch. Her suspense was
agony, but she would not have her brave brother elsewhere.

The ferocious beast, taken by surprise or freed from provocation,
suddenly quieted down. It sat on its haunches for a moment, and looked
after the fleeing man. Then it rose up, and preferring a fallen form
to an erect, it followed him with light majestic tread. It came to
within twenty feet of where he lay, and halted, sitting on its haunches
again. Rising up, it walked around him twice, looking at him curiously
all the time. Satisfied at last that it had an easy prey, it went
forward softly, like a cat. Halting, it bent dow