Caracalla was about to reply indignantly, but just then Adventus entered
the room, announcing the chief astrologer of the Temple of Serapis.
Caracalla refused to receive him just then, but he anxiously asked
whether he had any signs to report. The reply was in the affirmative,
and in a few minutes Caesar had in his hand a wax tablet covered with
words and figures. He studied it eagerly, and his countenance cleared;
still holding the tablets, he exclaimed to Melissa:

"You, daughter of Heron, have nothing to fear from me, you of all the
world! In some quiet hour I will explain to you how my planet yearns to
yours, and yours--that is, yourself--to mine. The gods have created us
for each other, child; I am already under your influence, but your heart
still hesitates, and I know why; it is because you distrust me."

Melissa raised her large eyes to his face in astonishment, and he went
on, pensively:

"The past must stand; it is like a scar which no water will wash out.
What have you not heard of my past? What did they feel, in their self-
conscious virtue, when they talked of my crimes? Did it ever occur to
any one, I wonder, that with the purple I assumed the sword, to protect
my empire and throne? And when I have used the blade, how eagerly have
fingers pointed at me, how gladly slanderous tongues have wagged! Who
has ever thought of asking what compulsion led me to shed blood, or how
much it cost me to do it? You, fair child--and the stars confirm it--you
were sent by fate to share the burden that oppresses me, and to you I
will ease my heart, to you I will confide all, unasked, because my heart
prompts me to do so. But first you must tell me with what tales they
taught you to hate the man to whom, as you yourself confessed, you