Even worse was in store for the aforementioned Jallius, who was said to have mocked at Hadrian’s pretentions as an art critic (a tender point) while over-drunk at a dinner party. He was suffered indeed to enter and to approach the imperial seat: “_Ave, Cæsar!_” he called out boldly, hoping that his indiscretion had been unnoticed. “_Vale, Jallie!_”[156] (“Good-by, Jallius”) answered the monarch, turning his face from him. The insult was offered in the presence of at least fifty tale-bearers and that night it was over Rome. Under a bad Emperor, Jallius’s life would have been in sore jeopardy, and as it was he was socially ruined; every time-serving nobleman closed his house to him and his innocent wife and children shared his ostracism. His only hope now is that when Hadrian returns he can be induced to let Jallius call again, and will answer affably “_Ave!_” to the visitor’s greeting. Then the poor senator can hold up his head in the world. [Illustration: CÆSAR AUGUSTUS: showing costume of a Roman general.] =255. Enormous Value of Imperial Favor.=--On the other hand Calvus returned walking on air from this particular audience. The Emperor answered his greeting by calling him “My very dear Calvus”; then asked, “And how are your Gratia and the boys?” and actually added, “Do you think Gallinas, the Thracian, is going to be a good match for Syrus in the arena?”--finally, throwing in the sage advice, “These morning frosts now are sharp if you don’t dress warmly.”[157] When Calvus quitted the hall all his friends swarmed around congratulating him on “the remarkable favor of the Emperor,” and intimating that he was surely destined to be Consul within a few years and then the imperial legate of a great province. He can hardly persuade them that he has received no private information about the boundary settlement with Parthia and the terms being offered the chiefs of the Quadi. In fact the imperial looks and moods are studied as carefully as is the weather. “Did _he_ frown or look pleased when so and so was mentioned?” “Did he offer his cheek graciously to be kissed by that ex-consul?” “Did he invite the chiefs of the delegation from Provincial Asia to dinner?” “Did he cast down his eyes gloomily when they said N---- was about to be tried to-morrow in the Senate?” No marvel if bad Emperors are easily persuaded that they are gods on earth, and even good Emperors have to strive hard not to allow their heads to be turned!