Domitia

eatest general of his time, and h

lexible mouth, her tender eyes, the dimples in her cheeks, her exquisite grace of manner and swee

g from C?sonia the secret of her hold on his affections. Once, as he caressed her, he broke into hideous la

e, she crept to the spot, and was found kneeling by her dead husband with their babe in her arms, sobbing and wiping the blood f

ed in the East against the Parthians, the most redoubted enemies of the empi

ife and daughter had resided with him. But after a while, they we

d had been awaiting his arrival in a villa at Cenchr?a,

t actually of engraved plates or metal fishes on which the date of the agreement was entered as well as the names of the contracting parties. Then, when a provincial desired assistance at the capita

se open to him, treated him with the most profound respect and accorded to him the largest hospitality. So now the villa of a clien

ishes suspended in his atrium, announcing to all visitors what an extensive clientèle he had, and the p

easant air that fanned from the sea; and looking over the terraced garden at their daughter, who was gam

n, with a remarkably intelligent f

ming intellect that flashed out of her violet eyes. And now as she played with the kid, her every movement formed an artist's study, and the simple joy that shone out of her face, and

omewhat retreating, but with a firm mouth and strong jaw. Though not handsome, there was refinement in his countenance which gave it a character of nobleness, and the brilliant eye an

sent you back from Antioch. You ever twanged one string, and

but into

overflows on all si

hat the Gods offer them. Others lose themselves by

was made me," said the gen

what is obvious to every other eye, that the Roman people are imp

e wears it, by f

, and with his assassins scattered about below to cut them down if they do not applaud-then he comes here also into Greece, to act on stages, race chariots, before Greeks-Greeks of all people! To me this is nothing, for all princes are tyrants more or less, and so long as they do not prick me

change, then the cha

you do not draw, others will forestall you, and then-ins

raitor to Rome, and

all do it, so

nscience will

the soldiery in Germany. You are still the idol of those who have fought under you in Parthia and Armenia. I am sure I did my best to push your cause. I was gracious to the soldiery-sent tit-bi

" said Corbulo,

so much smiling. Really, Corbulo, one has to do all the picking-as boys get winkles out of their shells with a pin-to ex

y that Ner

nto his head and has begun to cut a canal through the isthmus. It has begun with a flouri

nce at C

u have come here, and left your vantage ground. What it all means, the Gods know. It is no doing of mine. I w

y sacrilegious hand ag

MY SACRILEGIOUS HAND

t to be rid of a man that mak

. She has not relea

e Consul. Rome may have a monkey as her prince and Augustus for aught I care, were it not that by such a

nd I have an imperator," he touched his breast; "a good conscience, [pg 23]

my hands of

ed to his daughter who, with a flush of

"Domitia, I have not said one grave word to thee since we have been together. Yet now will I do this. None can tell what may be the nex

speaking eyes. "So strong is the spring that at once it t

hough homely the work may be as that of grinding flour. When you have done a good work, a

uilia, "say it out-o

, dearest father, will

should not know whither to steer. And the steering of the vessel by the stars, that is

Duilia. "As the Gods lo

e our course, and this true shaping of our course, and not drifting with t

ense. Where are your stars? Principles! You keep your constellations in the hold of your vessel.

a handful of soldiers coming this way-and, if

the kid. Hear how the little

ldier watched his darling,

she was beyond h

us at Antioch. He returns with me to Rome. In these evil times, for a girl there is one only chance-to be given a good husband. This I hold, that a woman is never

en. [pg 25]His face was ashen-gray, and he w

t although his lips moved,

he old general rising, and lookin

there made him

rned, kissed hi

I am righ

omitia, who was dancing to her kid, above

t a second thought served to make him abandon so doing, and instead

command-Follow the Light w

g