On his table were letters from the south. He lay comfortably in his
great chair and began to read them. Presently his body straightened,
the wrinkles deepened in his brow. Soon he flung the letter he had
been reading upon his table and leaned back, laughing quietly as he
remarked to himself:
"Innocent, beautiful son of Varro! He is making progress."
An attendant came near.
"Find my young Appius at once and bring him to me," said the emperor,
as he went on reading his letters.
Appius, quickly found, came with all haste to the great father of Rome.
"I have news for you," said the latter, quietly, with a glance at his
young friend. He continued to read his letters.
"News!" said Appius.
"'Tis of Vergilius--the apt and youthful Vergilius. How swift,
industrious, and capable is he! How versatile! How varied his
attainments!"
"I am delighted."
The emperor turned his keen eyes on the young man, with a smile of
amusement. Then he spoke, gently:
"'Tis only four months, and he has become a conspirator, and also a
prophet, and is likely soon to be--what is that word they use in
Judea?--an angel.
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