“Madam,” said Stephanus, “the time was short, and every effort to move Caesar failed. I used the only means, that lay within my power. Or did you really suppose, that a Gaetulian lion could be killed like a hare with a nip of the hunter’s fingers? The dagger was poisoned.” “Ah! I understand....” She would have said more, but Polycharma rushed breathless into the room. “I want Stephanus--a messenger from the amphitheatre....” “Bid him come in,” said the Empress. A young man handed a note to the steward. Stephanus turned pale as he read it, and he closed his eyes as if blinded by a flash. “Go, it is well,” he stammered, and he crushed the letter in his hand. “What has happened?” asked Domitia. “Madam--the worst that can happen. The master of the ceremonies suspects--the trick is discovered.” The Empress flushed crimson. “Then you no longer have Quintus alone to save, but yourself too, Stephanus. Your life is at stake as well as his. Remember, consider the reward that awaits you! Let Rome perish if need be, but prevent that last, worst....” “You command, and I obey.” FOOTNOTES: [155] THE UNDERGROUND CELLS OF THE AMPHITHEATRE. The greater part of what in our theatres we call “behind the scenes,” was underground in the Roman amphitheatre; especially the cages for wild beasts, and cells for condemned criminals. The subterranean rooms in the Flavian amphitheatre are still visible. [156] THE CONSUL FLAVIUS CLEMENS AND HIS NOBLE WIFE. The wife of the consul Flavius Clemens was a relative of Domitian. According to Dio Cassius (LXVII, 14) she was called Flavia Domitilla, According to this historian, she was not condemned to the wild beasts, but only to exile at Pandataria. How near Flavius Clemens originally stood to the emperor’s person, appears from the narrative of Suetonius (_Dom._ 15,) where it is said, that the emperor publicly designated the two sons of his cousin Flavius Clemens, then little boys, to be his successors, and therefore gave one the name of Vespasianus and the other that of Domitianus, in place of the one hitherto borne. Besides, according to Suetonius, the Christianity of Flavius Clemens is not so clearly shown as my story supposes. See also note 137, Vol. I, and note 131, Vol. II.