The Emperor | Page 9

said in a whisper:
"If we had a painter here it would make a lovely little picture."
"Incomparable," answered Titianus, "only the vivid scarlet on the

dame's cheeks seems to me suspicious, considering the ample
proportions of the wine-jar at her elbow."
"But did you ever see a calmer, kindlier, or more contented
countenance?"
"Baucis must have slept like that when Philemon allowed himself leave
of absence for once! or did that devoted spouse always remain at
home?"
"Apparently he did. Now, peace is at an end." The approach of the two
friends had waked one of the little dogs. He gave tongue, and his
companion immediately jumped up and barked as if for a wager. The
old woman's pet sprang out of her lap, but neither his mistress nor the
cat let themselves be disturbed by the noise, and slept on.
"A watcher among a thousand!" said the architect, laughing.
"And this phalanx of dogs which guard the palace of a Caesar," added
Titianus, "might be vanquished with a blow. Take heed, the worthy
matron is about to wake."
The dame had in fact been disturbed by the barking. She sat up a little,
lifted her hands, and then, half singing, half muttering a few words, she
sank back again in her chair.
"This is delicious!" cried the prefect.
"Begone dull care" she sang in her sleep.
"How may this rare specimen of humanity look when she is awake?"
"I should be sorry to drive the old lady out of her nest!" said the
architect unrolling his scroll.
"You shall touch nothing in the little house," cried the prefect eagerly.
"I know Hadrian; he delights in such queer things and queer people,
and I will wager he will make friends with the old woman in his own
way. Here at last comes the steward of this palace."

The prefect was not mistaken; the hasty step he had heard was that of
the official they awaited. At some little distance they could already hear
the man, panting as he hurried up, and as he came, before Titianus
could prevent him, he had snatched down the cords that were stretched
across the court and flung all the washing on the ground. As soon as the
curtain had thus dropped which had divided him from the Emperor's
representative and his companion, he bowed to the former as low as the
rotund dimensions of his person would allow; but his hasty arrival, the
effort of strength he had made, and his astonishment at the appearance
of the most powerful personage in the Nile Province in the building
entrusted to his care, so utterly took away his breath--of which he at all
times was but "scant"--that he was unable even to stammer out a
suitable greeting. Titianus gave him a little time, and then, after
expressing his regret at the sad plight of the washing, now strewn upon
the ground, and mentioning to the steward the name and position of his
friend Pontius, he briefly explained to him that the Emperor wished to
take up his abode in the palace now in his charge; that
he--Titianus--was cognizant of the bad condition in which it then was,
and had come to take council with him and the architect as to what
could be done in the course of a few days to make the dilapidated
residence habitable for Hadrian, and to repair, at any rate, the more
conspicuous damage. He then desired the steward to lead him through
the rooms.
"Directly--at once," answered the Greek, who had attained his present
ponderous dimensions through many years of rest: "I will hasten to
fetch the keys." And as he went, puffing and panting, he re-arranged
with his short, fat fingers the still abundant hair on the right side of his
head. Pontius looked after him.
"Call him back, Titianus," said he. "We disturbed him in the midst of
curling his hair; only one side was done when the lictor called him
away, and I will wager my own head that he will have the other side
frizzled before he comes back. I know your true Greek!"
"Well, let him," answered Titianus. "If you have taken his measure
rightly he will not be able to give his attention without reserve to our

questions till the other half of his hair is curled. I know, too, how to
deal with a Hellene."
"Better than I, I perceive," said the architect in a tone of conviction. "A
statesman is used to deal with men as we do with lifeless materials. Did
you see the fat fellow turn pale when you said that it would be but a
few days before the Emperor would make his entry here? Things must
look well in the old house there. Every hour is precious, and we have