who, noticing from the whispers of his courtiers that they believed him to be dying, ate an unusually large dinner on the very day of his death, and sarcastically observed, "Il me semble que pour un homme qui va mourir je ne mange pas mal." But, in spite of the precautions of Tiberius, Charicles informed Macro that the Emperor could not last beyond two days.
A scene of secret intrigue at once began.

The court broke up into knots and cliques.

Hasty messengers were sent to the provinces and their armies, until at last, on the 16th of March, it was believed that Tiberius had breathed his last.

Just as on the death of Louis XV.

a sudden noise was heard as of thunder, the sound of courtiers rushing along the corridors to congratulate Louis XVI.