Glyceria fled that same night to the temple of Cybele.
CHAPTER XI.
While in Rome pleasures alternated with horrors the troops commanded by Numerian marched over rough roads, amid severe privations, to the Bosporus. Here they were joined by the fugitive Mesembrius who, when he left Rome, fled directly to Numerian.
No one had been able to see this noble Cæsar for several weeks. He suffered severe pain in his eyes, and did not leave his tent. Mesembrius made his complaint to the leaders next in command. One, Diocletian, promised to avenge him, while the second, Aper, referred to Numerian and refrained from giving any opinion of his own.
"Then let me go to Numerian; if I speak to him, he will be the first to draw his sword against his brother," urged the Senator.
"You cannot see him," replied Aper, placing himself before the entrance to Numerian's tent. "No one except myself is allowed to speak to him during his illness. He even gives his orders to the army through me alone."
Mesembrius sniffed the air suspiciously.
"Why does so strong a smell of musk and amber come from this tent?"
"Why?" repeated Aper, his face blanching. "Why do you desire to know, Senator?"