But Tharsos stood up to his full height, and cast one withering look towards Titanus, as much as if to say—"What, witness the butchery of one like my own sister!" Turning haughtily on his heel, he strode two steps back to the staircase, muttering something in which there was the distinct word Lion, and in a moment he was down and out of view.
CHAPTER VII.
THE PERPLEXITY OF CARNION.
Amidst the laughter and the babel of voices, Carnion's quick ear caught the magic word—Lion!
Turning round into his former place, "Is there a lion coming at last, my father?" he asked eagerly, while his dark eyes sparkled with emotion.
"Yes, my son."
"I am very sorry that Tharsos has gone," remarked the boy, looking at the vomitory (opening) of the staircase.
"He had, he was—rather, he preferred to go; perhaps it is better," said Titanus with a troubled absent look.
"What kind of lion is coming father?" enquired Carnion, his chief interest being in that direction.