They had been commanded to attend at an unusually early hour, and had already been kept a long time waiting.
When Philostratus--who was always free to enter Caesar's presence--made his appearance, Caracalla was seating himself on the throne which had been placed for him in the splendidly fitted audience-chamber.

He had come from his bath, and was wrapped in the comfortable white woolen robe which he wore on leaving it.

His "friends" as they were called, senators, and other men of mark, stood round in considerable numbers, among them the high-priest of Serapis.

Pandion, Caesar's charioteer, was occupied, under the sovereign's instructions, in fastening the lion's chain to the ring fixed for the purpose in the floor by the side of the throne; and as the beast, whose collar had been drawn too tight, uttered a low, complaining growl, Caracalla scolded the favorite.

As soon as he caught sight of Philostratus, he signed to him to approach: "Do you see nothing strange in me ?" he whispered.