“The Labarum!” exclaimed the Count; “I have [pg 248]not seen that flying from any mast but my own for a year past. Well, that ought to mean something.”
It was the etiquette to go as far as was possible to meet an Imperial messenger, just as a host receives a very distinguished guest on his door-step, and the Count, after hastily exchanging his hunting-dress for a toga, went to the little pier at which the galley would land its passenger. He had not to wait many minutes before it arrived, and a handsome young man, with a short military cloak over his traveller’s dress, leapt lightly ashore. The Count saluted. The stranger, who was for a time the representative of the Emperor, received the greeting with the dignified gesture of a superior.
“Do I address Lucius Ælius, Count of the Saxon Shore?” he asked.
“I am he,” the Count briefly replied.
“I bring the commands of Augustus,” said the messenger, producing from a pocket in his tunic a vellum roll, bound with a broad purple cord, and bearing the Imperial seal.
The Count received the missive with a profound inclination, and put it to his lips. At the same time the messenger uncovered, and changed his haughty demeanour for the behaviour usual to a young officer in the presence of his superior.
“It will be more respectful and more convenient to read his Majesty’s gracious communication in [pg 249]private. Will you please come with me to my house?”
He led the way to the villa, and introduced the visitor into the little room which he used for the transaction of business. He then cut with his dagger the purple cord which fastened the package containing the despatch, and, after again putting the document to his lips, proceeded to read it. Its contents were seemingly not agreeable, for his face darkened as he went on. He made no remark, however, beyond simply asking the messenger—
“May I presume that you have a general acquaintance with the contents of this document?”
“I have,” replied the young man.