They ate resting on their elbows, and were so
disposed that each could see the host without turning. The emperor
asked only for coarse bread, a morsel of fish, two figs, and a bit of
cheese.
"My good friends," said he, in a low voice, when the wine was served,
"we have with us an able officer in this young Manius, one of our
assessors in Jerusalem. I ask you to drink his health. Though I can
drink no wine, I can feel good sentiments."
One could not help remarking his fixed serenity of face and voice and
manner as he went on:
"Some time ago it came to my ear that he thought me a tyrant wallowing
in vulgar and ill-gotten luxury."
There was a little stir in those heads around the table, and in every
hand and face one might have seen evidence of quickened pulses. The
young officer was now staring through deathly pallor.
"My friends, it is not strange," said the great Augustus, mildly. "To
Jerusalem is quite two thousand miles; and, then he was very young when
he left the home of his fathers. Am I not right, Manius?"
"Your words are both true and kindly," said the young man.
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