was aware of an unusual stir among the spectators, of notes
being handed along and read, of whisperings, callings, signs,
pointings; of messengers worming their way from row to row
and from tier to tier.

Almo won his third bout. While it was in progress Manlia
had seen one of the Emperor's orderlies enter the arena from
one of the small doors in the wall and confer with the chief
lanista, who directed the fighting.

By the time Almo began a fourth bout half the audience was
looking at him or at Brinnaria. There were thousands present
who had survived the pestilence, who had been present fifteen
years before when she had let herself down into the arena and
had rescued the retiarius. They remembered her spectacular
interference and were curious as to how she would now comport
herself. Brinnaria, erect and calm, fanned herself placidly.

Almo won his fourth bout.

By this time the arrangements of the lanistas had been so far
modified that, instead of a great throng of fighters, there were,
in the whole immense arena, not more than twenty pairs.

With scarcely a breathing space Almo was pitted against a
fifth adversary. By the time he had disposed of him the entire
audience, fully a hundred thousand souls, were as well aware of
what was going on as was Brinnaria herself. She was pale, but
entirely collected. To Manlia she whispered venomously: