[He reads again for a long time, with signs of deep inward emotion; then he looks up and says:

Then, ’tis the Emperor’s will that——? Good, good, noble Decentius; the Emperor’s will shall be done.

Decentius.

It must be done, this very day.

Julian.

This very day; of course. Come hither, Sintula! Where is he?—Ah, I remember!—Call Sintula back!

[A courtier goes out by the back; Julian retires to the window, and reads the papers through once more.

Florentius.

[In a low voice, to the Tribune.] I implore you not to misinterpret what I said. When I gave Caesar the credit, of course I did not mean to——

Severus.