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I take that for a sign that Commodus has had a change of heart. It was a manly thing to slay that wretch." "He will have a change of governors of Rome before the day dawns!" Marcia retorted. "If it weren't that he might change his mistress at the same time " "You would betray me eh?" Pertinax smiled at her tolerantly. "No," said Marcia, "I would let you have your own way and be executed!

I remember to this day the colored wax statue which represented Pertinax so exactly that it might have been himself risen from the grave. And the procession! It seemed to have no end; one new thing followed another. All walked past in mourning robes, even the choir of singing boys and men.

Manumission and a hundred thousand sesterces!" "In writing!" said Narcissus. "Dog!" growled Pertinax. "Go in and do as you are told!" But Narcissus only grinned at him and squared his shoulders. "Death means little to a gladiator," he remarked. "Leave him to me!" ordered Marcia. "Go and sit down at that table, Pertinax. Take pen and parchment. Now then what do you want in writing? Make haste!"

Pertinax got to his feet, long-leggedly statuesque, and strode toward the antechamber on his right, whence presently he returned with a woman on his arm, he stroking her hand as it rested on his. He introduced Sextus and Norbanus; the others knew her; Galen greeted her with a wrinkled grin that seemed to imply confidence.

They keep after Marcia day and night to dissuade Caesar from taking part in the spectacles, on the theory that he helps to make them popular." "What do they propose to substitute in popular esteem?" asked Pertinax. "I don't know. They're mad enough for anything, and their hold over Marcia is beyond belief.

Otherwise we all die all of us! Severus Pescennius Niger Clodius Albinus any of the others would include us in a general proscription. Pertinax is friendly. He protects his friends. He is the safest man in all ways. Let Pertinax be acclaimed by all the praetorian guard and the senate would accept him eagerly enough. They would feel sure of his mildness.

How Philosophy taught that after all it was but a pain founded on conceit, a blow that hurt not; the reply of the Cynic philosopher to one who reproached him, "Is it my fault or hers?"; how Nevisanus advises the sufferer to ask himself if he have not offended; Jerome declares it impossible to prevent; how few or none are safe, and the inhabitants of some countries, especially parts of Africa, consider it the usual and natural thing; How Caesar, Pompey, Augustus, Agamemnon, Menelaus, Marcus Aurelius, and many other great Kings and Princes had all worn Actaeon's badge; and how Philip turned it to a jest, Pertinax the Emperor made no reckoning of it; Erasmus declared it was best winked at, there being no remedy but patience, Dies dolorem minuit; Time, Age must mend it; and how according to the best authorities, bars, bolts, oaken doors, and towers of brass, are all in vain.

How Clodius Albinus, in control of Gaul, Spain and Britain, would act, was problematical. We were all keyed-up, apprehensive and wretched. Our suspense was shorter since it turned out that Severus had made up his mind and begun to make his rapid and effective arrangements as soon as he heard of the murder of Pertinax.

He returned to his first obsession, that the Christians plotted it and that I knew all about it. He swore he will butcher the Christians. He will rid Rome of them. He says, since he can not play Paulus any longer he will out-play Nero." "Where is Sextus?" Pertinax asked. "Aye! Where is Sextus!" Marcia glared at Galen. "We have to thank you for Sextus! You persuaded Pertinax to shield Sextus.

Let us take to the mountains and help ourselves to what we need while Pertinax and all these others fight for too much! Let them have their too much and grow sick of it! What do you and I need beyond clothing, a weapon, armor, a girl or two and a safe place for retreat? I have heard Sardinia is wonderful.