Fiercely, frantically, he plied his weapon, until the delinquents, who had fallen to their knees before him, roared for mercy.
'Let me find you sleeping again,' he said in a low voice, 'and your eyes shall be burnt out.' He stole away into the darkness, and the men whispered to each other that he had gone mad.

For Marcian was notably humane with his slaves, never having been known even to inflict a whipping.

Perhaps they were even more astonished at this proof that their master seriously guarded the privacy of his guest; last night they had slept for long hours undisturbed, and, on waking, congratulated each other with familiar jests on having done just what was expected of them.
The morn broke dark and stormy.

Thunder-clouds purpled before the rising sun, and ere mid-day there fell torrents of rain.

Heedless of the sky, Marcian rode forth this morning; rode aimlessly about the hills, for the villa was no longer endurable to him.