To disturb your Majesty with this trifle is a crime; yet it must be committed, for should the affair remain unheeded longer, the trickling rivulet may become a mountain torrent--" Here Cleopatra, whose glance had just rested upon a fateful letter from King Herod, turned her face half towards her husband's favourite, exclaiming curtly, with glowing cheeks, "Presently." Then she glanced rapidly over the letter, pushed it excitedly aside, and dismissed the waiting Syrian with the impatient words: "Attend to the trial and the rest.

No injustice, but no untimely mildness.

I will look into this unpleasant matter myself before the Imperator returns." "And the authority ?" asked the Syrian, with another low bow.
"You have it.

If you need a written one, apply to Zeno.

We will discuss the affair further at some less busy hour." The Syrian retired; but Cleopatra turned to the eunuch and, flushed with emotion, cried, pointing to the King of Judea's letter: "Did you ever witness baser ingratitude?
The rats think the ship is sinking, and it is time to leave it.