A Struggle for Rome, v. 1

by Felix Dahn

The ambassador bowed assent.

"Not bad, as I said before; but barbaric, severe, unwomanly. How old may she be, Alexandros?"

"About forty-five."

Justinian looked at the picture and then at the ambassador.

"The picture was taken fifteen years ago," said Alexandros, as if in. explanation.

"No," said the Emperor, "you mistake; here stands the date, according to the indiction[⁵] and the consul, and the date of her accession; it is of this year."

An awkward pause ensued.

"Well," stammered Alexandros, "then the artists flatter like----"

"Like courtiers," concluded the Emperor.

But Theodora came to the ambassador's aid.