“Generous man! how was it possible for me to understand the niceties that trouble your perspicuous mind? But be at ease. Serious sickness demands strong medicines. Great dangers excuse bold measures. The priestess has demanded the restoration of the virgin. The _flamen Augustalis_ is backing her up. So are all the _Seviri_. The religious corporation feel touched in their credit and insist on the restitution. They will heap on fuel, and keep Nemausus in a boil. By no possibility could the damsel have remained hidden in the town. I saw that it was imperiously necessary for me to remove her. I could think of no other place into which to put her than Ad Fines. I managed the matter in admirable fashion; though it is I who say it. But really, by Jupiter Capitolinus, I believe that your genius attended me, and assisted in the execution of the design, which was carried out without a hitch.” Æmilius knitted his arms behind his back, and took short turns, in great perturbation of mind. “By Hercules!” said he, “you have committed an actionable offense.” “Of course, you look on it from a legal point of view,” said Callipodius, a little nettled. “I tell you it was a matter of life or death.” “I do not complain of your having conveyed the young lady to Ad Fines, but of your not having taken her mother there along with her. You have put me in a very awkward predicament.” “How was I to judge that the old woman was to be deported as well?” “You might have judged that I would cut off my right hand rather than do aught that might cause people to speak lightly of Perpetua.” The client shrugged his shoulders. “You seem to breed new scruples.” “I thank you,” said Æmilius, “that you have shown so good a will, and have been so successful in your enterprise. I am, perhaps, over hasty and exacting. I desired you to do a thing more perfectly than perhaps you were able to perform it. Leave me now. I must clear my mind and discover what is now to be done.” “There is no pleasing some folk,” said Callipodius moodily. CHAPTER XVII PEDO Baudillas had been lowered into the pit of the _robur_, and he sank in the slime half‐way up his calves. He waded with extended arms, groping for something to which to cling. He knew not whether the bottom were even, or fell into deep holes, into which he might stumble. He knew not whether he were in a narrow well or in a spacious chamber. Cautiously, in obscurity, he groped, uncertain even whether he went straight or was describing a curve. But presently he touched the wall and immediately discovered a bench, and seated himself thereon. Then he drew up his feet out of the mire, and cast himself in a reclining position on the stone seat.