Verus listened to Apollodorus with increasing attention, and fixed a keen gaze on the young man, who interrupted his host’s eager encomium with many modest deprecations. The praetor had recollected the near approach of his birthday, and also that the position of stars in the night preceding it, would certainly be observed by Hadrian. What the Emperor might learn from them would seal his fate for life. Was that momentous night destined to bring him nearer to the highest goal of his ambition or to debar him from it? When Apollodorus ceased speaking, Verus offered Simeon Ben Jochai his hand, saying: “I am rejoiced to have met a man of your learning and distinction. What would I not give to possess your knowledge for a few hours!” “My knowledge is yours,” replied the astrologer. “Command my services, my labors, my time--ask me as many questions as you will. We are so deeply indebted to you--” “You have no reason to regard me as your creditor,” interrupted the praetor, “you do not even owe me thanks. I only made your acquaintance after I had rescued you, and I opposed the mob, not for the sake of any particular man, but for that of law and order.” “You were benevolent enough to protect us,” cried Ben Jochai, “so do not be so stern as to disdain our gratitude.” “It does me honor, my learned friend; by all the gods it does me honor,” replied Verus. “And in fact it is possible, it might very will be--Will you do me the favor to come with me to that bust of Hipparchus? By the aid of that science which owes so much to him you may be able to render me an important service.” When the two men were standing apart from the others, in front of the white marble portrait of the great astronomer, Verus asked: “Do you know by what method Caesar is wont to presage the fates of men from the stars?” “Perfectly.” “From whom?” “From Aquila, my father’s disciple.” “Can you calculate what he will learn from the stars in the night preceding the thirtieth of December, as to the destinies of a man who was born in that night, and whose horoscope I possess?” “I can only answer a conditional yes to that question.” “What should prevent your answering positively?” “Unforeseen appearances in the heavens.” “Are such signs common?” “No, they are rare, on the contrary.” “But perhaps my fortune is not a common one-and I beg of you to calculate on Hadrian’s method what the heavens will predict on that night for the man whose horoscope my slave shall deliver to you early to-morrow morning.” “I will do so with pleasure.” “When can you have finished this work?” “In four days at latest, perhaps even sooner.” “Capital! But one thing more. Do you regard me as a man, I mean, as a true man?” “If you were not, would you have given me such reason to be grateful to you?”