There was Favonius; there were the two sanguinary Marcelli, consuls respectively for the two preceding years; there was Domitius; there was Cato, his hard face illumined doubtless by the near realization of unholy hopes; there was Faustus Sulla, another bitter oligarch.

Drusus saw them all, and knew that the Caesarian cause had been doomed without a hearing.

Caius Marcellus, the new consul, sat in his separate seat, in all the splendid dignity of his embroidered toga.

Around him stood his twelve lictors.

But Lentulus, at whose behest the Senate had been convened, and who was to act as its president, had not come.