You will start for Jerusalem to-morrow, my good
Appius. And when you arrive there convey to him my congratulations."
"Your congratulations!"
"That he is upon earth to receive them," said the great man. He
resumed his letters and continued speaking, slowly: "Tell him I have
been asked to consider whether he should keep his head upon his
shoulders, and that I have decided to refer the question to him. It
will not come back to me. Say, also, that he should have more light
upon his friends, and that I have withdrawn my consent to his marriage."
The young man rose, a look of astonishment in his face.
"But shall I be in time?" said he, with some excitement.
"Learn composure, my good Appius. Herod may not be extremely polite to
him, but--but he will wait."
That odd man, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus, laughed silently
as the youth was leaving. He beckoned to a slave, who halted Appius
and turned him back.
"An escort will be on the campus at dawn," said the emperor. "I wish
you a pleasant journey and will write you when to return.
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