"And you are discerning," said the emperor, with a smile. "Now, good
people, observe that I have invited our young officer to Rome for two
purposes: to show him, first, that I live no better than the poorest
nobleman; secondly, that I am only a servant of the people; for, since
he is an able officer, I shall resist my own will and keep him in the
public service."
"Bravo!" said they all, and clapped their hands.
A strange, inscrutable man was the emperor at that moment, the mildness
of a lamb in his voice and manner, the gleam of a serpent's eye under
his brows. And that right hand of his, clinched now and quivering a
little, had it grasped a reaching, invisible serpent within him?
Kindly? Yes, but with the kindness of a deep and subtle character who
saw in forbearance the best politics and the most effective discipline.
Lights were now aglow in a great candelabrum over the table and in many
tall lampadaria.
A slave, who was a juggler, came near and began to fill the gloom above
him with golden disks. From afar came the music of flutes and
timbrels.
Pages:
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61