The delicate color in her cheeks, and the dimple he had seen while she stroked the lion had struck him as particularly fascinating.

This had helped to make her so like the Roxana on the gem, and the change in her roused his pity.

She must smile again; and so, accustomed as he was to visit his annoyance on others, he angrily exclaimed to his "Friends": "Can I be everywhere at once?
Can not the simplest matter be settled without me?
It was the praetorian prefect's business to report to me concerning the two candidates, if you could not agree; but I have not seen him since last evening.

The man who has to be sought when I need him neglects his duty! Macrinus usually knows his.

Does any one know what has detained him ?" The question was asked in an angry, nay, in an ominous tone, but the praetorian prefect was a powerful personage, whose importance made him almost invulnerable.