“What!” said the Count. “Do not my ears deceive me? This fellow, whom I have seen wearing the collar for the neglect of duty, recognized as his colleague by Augustus!”(59) “I do not pretend to know his Majesty’s purposes, I can only say what is reported at head-quarters, and, it would seem, on good authority. But,” continued the speaker, in a voice from which he had studiously banished all kind of emphasis, and looking as he spoke at the ceiling of the room, “your lordship is aware that the honours thus unexpectedly bestowed do not always turn out to the advantage of those who receive them.” “What do you mean?” asked the Count. “I mean that what is given may be taken away—and taken away with very handsome interest for the loan—when the proper time comes. Your lordship has not forgotten the name of Carausius.”(60) “Well,” said the Count, “this is not the old way Rome had of dealing with her enemies. But, ‘other times, other manners.’ Tell me now, if the Augustus has arranged or is going to arrange with Constantine, what about Alaric?” “Oh! he will be quiet for a time, or should be, if there is any truth in a barbarian’s oath. You have heard how he marched on Rome?” “No, indeed,” replied the Count. “I have heard nothing here, except, quite early in the year, a vague rumour that he was on the move again. But tell me—has Augustus given _him_, too, a share in the Empire?” “Not exactly; but I will tell what has taken place. He marched on Rome.” “Yes,” interjected the Count, “and there was no Stilicho to save it!”