The Emperor glanced at the architect, as much as to say, I knew it! Pontius asked in astonishment: “When? I have never seen a female form within these walls.” “Recently.” “But I have never quitted Lochias for a minute. I have never gone to rest before midnight, and have been on my legs again long before sunrise.” “But still there were several hours between your going to sleep, and waking up again,” replied Pollux. “Ah, youth--youth!” exclaimed the Emperor, and a satirical smile played upon his lips. “Part Damon and Phyllis by iron doors, and they will find their way to each other through the key-hole.” Euphorion looked seriously at his son, the architect shook his head and refrained from further questions, but Hadrian rose from his couch, dismissed Antinous and his secretary to bed, requested Titianus to go home and to give his wife his kindly greetings, and then desired Pollux to conduct him within this screen, since he himself was not tired and was accustomed to do with only a few hours sleep. The young sculptor was strongly attracted by this commanding personage. It had not escaped him that the gray-bearded stranger greatly resembled the Emperor; but Pontius had prepared him for the likeness, and in fact there was much in the eyes and mouth of the Roman architect that he had never traced in any portrait of Hadrian ‘Imperator.’ And as they stood before his scarcely-finished statue his respect increased for the new visitor to Lochias; for, with earnest frankness, he pointed out to him certain faults, and while praising the merits of the rapidly-executed figure he explained in a few brief and pithy phrases his own conception of the ideal Urania. Then shortly but clearly, he stated his views as to how the plastic artist must deal with the problems of his art. The young man’s heart beat faster, and more than once he turned hot and cold by turns as he heard things uttered by the bearded lips of this imposing man, in a rich voice and in lucid phrases, which he had often divined or vaguely felt, but for which, while learning, observing, and working, he had never sought expression in words. And how kindly the great master took up his timid observations, how convincingly he answered them. Such a man as this he had never met, never had he bowed with such full consent before the superiority and sovereign power of another mind. The second hour after midnight had begun, when Hadrian, standing before the rough-cast clay bust, asked Pollux: “What is this to be?” “A portrait of a girl.” “Probably of the complaisant model who ventures into Lochias at night?” “No; a lady of rank will sit to me.” “An Alexandrian?” “Oh, no. A beauty in the train of the Empress.” “What is her name? I know all the Roman ladies.” “Balbilla.” “Balbilla? There are many of that name. What is she like, the lady you mean?” asked Hadrian, with a cunning glance of amusement.