of our troops in Britain, who had broken the most solemn oath a man can
take--of loyalty to Rome. An oath binds nobody. It simply is an
emphasis of what a man intends that minute. It expresses an emotion. I
believe the gods smile when they hear men pledge themselves. I
personally, who am far less than a god and far less capable of reading
men's minds, never trust a man unless I like him, or unless he gives me
pledges that make doubt impossible."

"Then you don't like me?" asked Livius.

"I would like you better if I knew that I could trust you."

"You shall, Pertinax! Bring witnesses! I will commit myself before
your witnesses to do my part in--"

His restless eyes glanced right and left. Then he lowered his voice.

"--in bringing about the political change you contemplate."

"Let us go to the sweating room," Pertinax answered. "Keep near me. I
will think this matter over. If I see you holding speech not audible to
me, with any one--"

"I am already pledged. You may depend on me," said Livius. "I trust
you more because you use caution. Come."




VI. THE EMPEROR COMMODUS