"A great lion from Libya, my son, a beast fierce and hungry." "And with what beasts is it going to fight? Will they be wild-boars, or bears, or tigers, or elephants? How I should love to see a big battle among them all! Tell me, father, what are the beasts to be." And the beautiful boy fairly shook with excitement. The father did not speak for a moment. His brows lowered over large brown eyes, a crimson wave of shame and anger swept over his handsome face, followed by a subduing wave of pity, and then he spoke in a tone that surprised the ardent boy. "Carnion," said he, "there is little likelihood that the lion will have anything to fight with." "Why not, father?" asked the boy, feeling quite disappointed. "Will it only go round the arena and roar?" "Were that all, my son, I should be exceedingly glad." The boy was perplexed:--"What dost thou mean, father?" "I mean, my son, that the lion is to find its prey in the form of a defenceless virtuous woman!" The boy was amazed and his eyes were piercing. "My father," said he tremulously, "is it the lady Tharsos spoke of?" "Yes, Carnion." "Oh father, how cruel!" exclaimed the boy in great distress. "Will nobody fight for her and save her?" "If any man be found bold enough to face the most formidable brute that ever sprang into the arena--that, and that only may save her," answered Titanus. "But the conditions are hard, so hard that I may say the case is well-nigh hopeless, and the man that would undertake it would either be a fool, impelled by inordinate greed, or filled with god-like self-sacrifice. Neither shield, nor spear, nor sword--nothing but a bronze dagger is to be allowed her defender, should one come forward, and he is to be naked but for a slight girdle around his loins." "Is there no man compelled to fight, oh father?" "No one, my son. The defence is voluntary. Both Demonicus and Telassar volunteered; the former is dead, and I fear the latter will back out. Who else would venture, I know not." "Father," said the boy, in a trembling tone, yet with a ring of purpose in it, "wilt thou permit my absence for a little time?" "Certainly, my son: it was in my mouth to bid thee look into the street for a little time; or if thy desire be to speak a word with mother thou mayest, but tell my name to the _designator_ (seat-attendant). 'Titanus' is enough." Carnion disappeared. CHAPTER VIII. WAITING FOR THE VICTIM. On the departure of Tharsos, Myrtis had turned and said-- "Thy brother's signal, as thou hast told me, Coryna. Come! let us go." "It is, but--not yet, dear Myrtis," was the answer in a voice of gentle firmness. "And in the face of thy brother's strong desire thou art waiting to witness the foul torture and death of a lady refined and good--our fellow-countrywoman too!"