Very
soon he became half-drunk, and as was his nature when in drink, savage.
One of the dancing slaves stumbled and growing nervous stepped out of
time, whereon he ordered the poor half-naked girl to be scourged before
him by the hands of her own companions. Happily for her, however, before
the punishment began a slave arrived with the intelligence that Saturius
waited without.
"What, alone?" said the prince, springing to his feet.
"Nay, lord," said the slave, "there is a woman with him."
At this news instantly his ill-temper was forgotten.
"Let that girl go," he said, "and bid her be more careful another time.
Away, all the lot of you, I wish to be private. Now, slave, bid the
worthy Saturius enter with his charge."
Presently the curtains were drawn apart and through them came Saturius
rubbing his hands and smiling somewhat nervously, followed by a woman
wrapped in a long cloak and veiled. He began to offer the customary
salutations, but Domitian cut him short.
"Rise, man," he said. "That sort of thing is very well in public, but
I don't want it here. So you have got her," he added, eyeing the draped
form in the background.
"Yes," replied Saturius doubtfully.
"Good, your services shall be remembered.
Pages:
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478