smiled upon him, showing his teeth, set well apart.

"Such an one I have found, good sire. Under the great purple dome
there is none more beautiful, and with your favor and that of the gods
I hope to make her my wife."

"Ah, then, I know her?"

"It is Arria, sister of Appius."

"And daughter of my beloved prefect. You are ambitious, my good youth."

The emperor stood a moment, looking downward thoughtfully. He felt his
retreating chin. His smooth-shaven face, broad from bone to bone above
the cheeks, quickly grew stern. His mind, which had the world for its
toy and which planned the building or the treading down of empires, had
turned its thought upon that little kingdom in the heart of the boy.
And he was thinking whether it should stand or fall.

"It may be impossible," said he, turning to the young man. "Say no
more to her until--until I have thought of it."

And Appius observed, as he went away with his friend: "You will be a
statesman, my dear Vergilius; you gave him just the right dose of
religion, flattery, and silver."

"I must succeed or I shall have no heart to live," said the other,
soberly.