“Oh! this time it has nothing to do with the outbreak among the Nazarenes and all the troubles of these last weeks. We can detect here and there extraordinary symptoms, and fabulous rumors ... for instance ... but, your word of honor that you will be silent...!”
“Can you doubt it?”
“Well, for instance, it sounds incredible ... but Parthenius[136] brought it all from Lycoris the fair Gaul.... It is said that this Nazarene craze has seized the very highest personages.... They even name....”
He stopped and looked round the room, as if he feared to be overheard.
“Well?” said the high-priest.
“They name Titus Flavius Clemens,[137] the Consul....”
“Folly! a relation of Caesar’s. The man who spreads such a report should be found out and brought to condign punishment....”
“Folly! that is what I said too! Infernal nonsense. Still the story is characteristic, and proves what the people conceive of as possible....”
“Patience, patience, noble Clodianus! Things will alter as winter approaches. The wildest torrent may be dammed up. But we are digressing—what new annoyance?”
“Ah! to be sure,” interrupted Clodianus. “Then nothing of it has reached your ears?”