diplomatist. I only gain a little here and there. Death wins
inevitably. Nevertheless, they only summon me for consultation when
they hope to gain a year or two for somebody. Marcia, unless you let
Bultius Livius use that couch he will swoon. I warn you. The man's
heart is weak. He has more brain than heart," he added. "How is our
astrologer?"

He greeted Sextus with a wrinkled grin and beckoned him to share his
couch. Sextus sat down and began chafing the old doctor's legs. Marcia
took her time about letting Livius be seated.

"You heard Galen?" she asked. "We are here to cheat death
diplomatically."

"Whose death?" Livius demanded.

"Rome's!" said Marcia, her eyes intently on his face. "If Rome should
split in three parts it would fall asunder. None but Commodus can save
us from a civil war. We are here to learn what Bultius Livius can do to
preserve the life of Commodus."

Livius' face, grotesque already with its hastily smeared carmine,
assumed new bewilderment.

"I have seen men tortured who were less ready to betray themselves,"
said Galen. "Give him wine--strong wine, that is my advice."

But Marcia preferred her victim thoroughly subjected.

"Fill your eyes with sunlight, Livius. Breathe deep! You look and