advantage of what he had overheard. It is never a recommendation for
any one that he is an object of dislike to the powerful, and least of all
does it help him with those who look for the favor and gifts of the great
men of the world. When Hadrian should think proper to throw off his
disguise, it might easily occur to him to let Pollux feel the effects of
his power. Would it not be wise in him to quit Alexandria and seek work
or daily bread in some other Greek city?

But for Arsinoe's sake he could not turn his back on his native place.
He loved her with all the passion of his artist's soul, and his youthful
courage would certainly not have been so quickly and utterly crushed if
he could have deluded himself as to the fact that his hopes of possessing
her had been driven into the remote background by the events of the
preceding evening. How could he dare to drag her into his uncertain and
compromised position? And what reception could he hope for from her
father if he should now attempt to demand her for his wife. As these
thoughts overpowered his mind he suddenly felt as if his eyes were
smarting with sand that had blown into them, and he could not help
springing out of bed; be paced his little room with long steps, and he
held his forehead pressed against the wall.

The dawn of a new day appeared as a welcome comfort, and by the time he
had eaten the morning porridge which his mother set before him--and her
eyes were red with weeping--the idea struck him that he would go to
Pontius, the architect. That was the lifeboat he espied.

Doris shared her son's breakfast but, contrary to her usual custom, she
spoke very little, only she frequently passed her hand over her son's
curly hair. Euphorion strode up and down the room, rummaging his brain
for ideas for an ode in which he might address the Emperor and implore