f this faction or the other.
Sextus favors Pertinax--says he would make a respectable emperor--
another Marcus Aurelius. But Pertinax knows next to nothing of Sextus'
doings, although he protects Sextus as far as he can and sees him now
and then. Sextus' plan is to keep all three rival factions by the ears,
so that if anything should happen--" he nodded toward the curtain, from
behind which came the sounds of childish laughter and the crashing voice
of Commodus encouraging in some piece of mischief--"they would be all
at odds and Pertinax could seize the throne."

"I wonder whether I was mad that I protected Sextus!" exclaimed Marcia.
"He has served us well. If I had let them catch and crucify him as
Maternus, we would have had no one to keep us informed of all these
cross-conspiracies. But are you sure he favors Pertinax?"

"Quite sure. He even risked an interview with Flavia Titiana, to
implore her influence with her husband. Sextus would be all for
striking now, this instant; he has assured himself that the world is
tired of Commodus, and that no faction is strong enough to stand in the
way of Pertinax; but he knows how difficult it will be to persuade
Pertinax to assert himself. Pertinax will not hear of murdering Caesar;
he says: 'Let us see what happens--if the Fates intend me to be Caesar,
let the Fates show how!'"

"Aye, that is Pertinax!" said Marcia. "Why is it that the honest men
are all such delayers! As for me, I will save my Commodus if he will
let me. If not, the praetorian guard shall put Pertinax on the throne
before any other faction has a chance to move. Otherwise we all die--all
of us! Severus--Pescennius Niger--Clodius Albinus--any of the others
would include us in a general proscription. Pertinax is friendly. He
protects his friends. He is the safest man in all ways. Let Pertinax be
acclaimed by all the praetorian guard and the senate would accept him
eagerly enough. They would feel sure of his mildness. Pertinax would
do no wholesale murdering to wipe out opposition; he would try to
pacify opponents by the institution of reforms and decent government."

"You must beware you are not forestalled," Narcissus warned her. "Sextus
tells me there is more than one man ready to slay Commodus at the first
chance. Severus, Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus keep themselves
informed as to what is going on; their messengers are in constant
movement. If Commodus should lift a hand aga