else to interfere would be flouting the Emperor.

Brinnaria, white as a corpse, dizzy and numb, kept up the
unvarying motion of her fan. Otherwise she was perfectly still.

The victor rolled his eyes along the rows of spectators. He
got no inkling of their feelings.

He gazed at the Vestals. The audience saw him gaze that way.
Brinnaria ignored him. Almo and all the world.

The victor looked toward the Emperor.

Aurelius held out his right hand, thumb out.

The lanista removed Almo's helmet. If anyone had doubted
his identity the doubt was dispelled among all near enough
to make out his face.

The victor put one foot on Almo's chest. Almo stretched his neck.

Brinnaria sat there, tense, pale, but as collected as if she had
no interest in what was going on.

The savage standing over Alma glanced a second time towards
the Emperor.

Aurelius was holding his arm at full stretch over the coping,
thumb flat against the extended fingers.