"But you made me another promise on which I lay great stress.

You will not compel me to tell you, nor try to discover through any other man, who may have spoken or written any particular satire." "Enough!" said Caracalla, impatiently; but Alexander was not to be checked.

He went on vehemently: "I have not forgotten that you said conditions were not to be made with Caesar; but, in spite of my impotence, I maintain the right of returning to my prison and there awaiting my doom, unless you once more assure me, in this girl's presence, that you will neither inquire as to the names of the authors of any gibes I may happen to have heard, nor compel me by any means whatever to give up the names of the writers of epigrams.

Why should I not satisfy your curiosity and your relish of a sharp jest?
But rather than do the smallest thing which might savor of treachery--ten times rather the axe or the gallows!" And Caracalla replied with a dark frown, loudly and briefly: "I promise." "And if your rage is too much for you ?" wailed Melissa, raising her hands in entreaty; but the despot replied, sternly: "There is no passion which can betray Caesar into perjury." At this moment Philostratus came in again, with Epagathos, who announced the praetorian prefect.

Melissa, encouraged by the presence of her kind protector, went on: "But, great Caesar, you will release my father and my other brother ?" "Perhaps," replied Caracalla.