He excused himself to his guests with a jest, and hastened to the room where he had left Lycoris. What was his astonishment at finding the young Massilian sitting on the floor by the slave, and bathed in tears; while Eurymachus, with a faint flush on his face, was exhorting her in grave and solemn tones, and only ceased speaking as Stephanus appeared in the doorway. The Massilian rose and dried her eyes and cheeks. “I thank you heartily,” she said with a deep sigh; “you have lifted a burden from my soul--ah! I never knew till now how intolerable it was.” “What is going on here?” asked Stephanus, suspiciously. “You are weeping? Will you have the goodness to explain to me...?” “Not now. No, nor presently! You could never understand what it is that moves me. How pale you are! I verily believe you are afraid of your slave there. You do not know, that his noble soul forgives you? But you, too, must try to overcome the hatred that possesses you. You must grant the slave his freedom, and give him the means of quitting Rome in secret and in safety. Nay, more; you must now, at once, make a last effort to mitigate the fate of Quintus Claudius. I wish it--I demand it--I insist upon it--and, let me tell you, I am in a position to enforce my commands. Nay, you need not scowl so; I mean it.” “Lycoris!” exclaimed Stephanus, trembling in every limb, “do not forget to whom you owe everything, and what you rose from.” “From bog and mire, I know it well--but not to struggle all my life-long in the slough of dependence. You have counted without your host, Stephanus! I am no longer your tool. It is you yourself who, without knowing it, have shown me the path to freedom. One sign from me, and Parthenius will crush you to the earth. I have paid dearly for my power, bought it with sin and disgrace--but I mean to use it. Go, Stephanus, and fulfil the behests of the miserable and despised creature, on whose neck you once could have set your foot.” Before Stephanus could reply, Antinous, his familiar, was standing before him, offering him a note. “A message from the Empress,” he said, out of breath. Stephanus opened it and read: “Domitia to her Steward. I must speak with you at once, this instant” “I will come,” said Stephanus, with a side glance at Lycoris. “The messenger can say, that I am close behind him. And now, Lycoris--I cannot wait--I promise you....” “Well, what?” “All--everything,” he said in utter bewilderment, “only give me time to breathe.” They went together out of the cell, and Stephanus himself locked the door; then he seized Lycoris by her wrist and his eyes had a sinister roll. “I beg of you,” he said, “take my place with my guests.” “Certainly,” she replied. “But you--do not forget.” “Serpent!” he snarled between his teeth as he hastily quitted the room. Domitia received him with unwonted ceremony, and in that same rose-colored room into which she had once before admitted him. She was handsomer than ever.