“All Almo needs is worthy occupation. I’ll put the sea between him and you and so put your mind at rest. I’ll make a man of him at the same time. I’ll appeal to his pride and his patriotism. Rome needs such keen-minded, capable youths on the frontiers. I’ll not give him too hard or too unpleasant employment, not relegate him to Britain or Dacia or Syria. I’ll send him to Africa to chase the desert nomads who are harrying the borders of Numidia and Mauretania. He can gain credit there without danger, can learn to command men and to know the great game of war. Nepte and Bescera are pleasant little cities--he will be comfortable between campaigns. I’ll see he sets out the day after to-morrow, at latest.” CHAPTER XI - FAREWELL Two days later, Brinnaria had a visit from Flexinna. Flexinna’s eyes were dancing. “G-G-Guess where I’ve been,” she challenged. “I’m not good at guessing,” Brinnaria parried; “better tell me.” “I’ve b-b-been to the Palace,” Flexinna revealed. “What took you there?” Brinnaria queried, surprised. “I was sent for,” Flexinna declared, elated. “Who’d you see?” Brinnaria enquired. “The Emperor himself,” proclaimed Flexinna triumphantly. Brinnaria was very much astonished. “Better tell me the whole story,” she suggested. “Not much story,” said Flexinna. “Aurelius t-t-told me that he wanted t-t-to see you again and that, as a formal visit from the Emperor as P-P-Pontifex Maximus at the Atrium was unusual and was likely to c-c-cause g-g-gossip, whereas you Vestals are c-c-continually at the Palace to ask favors for all sorts of people who p-p-pester you to use your influence with the Emperor, he thought it b-b-best to suggest that you apply for an audience t-t-to-morrow. He said he wanted the intimation c-c-conveyed to you as unobtrusively as p-p-possible and d-d-desired p-p-particularly that no one should ever know or g-g-guess that it had b-b-been g-g-given. So he sent for me, as your b-b-best friend, since he was sure I would never t-t-tell anybody. “B-B-Better send along your application for an audience. It was p-p-plain to me that he has something agreeable to t-t-tell you. His face was just as g-g-grave as usual but his eyes sparkled at me, as d-d-different as p-p-possible from their habitual dull filmed appearance. He was all k-k-kindliness and anticipation.” “I’m willing to take the hint, of course,” Brinnaria replied. Next morning she found Aurelius most cordial and informal in his greeting to her.