The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

council , when thine advice is most wanted / ' said the Emperor . " AThat have Ave here ? " taking the book which Caius presented . " Thy poems . Thanks for them , which I shall pay thee at more leisure . Our Avife and sister seem frantic for them ,

ancl they will be a valuable addition to the library . But what think you ? Cassius tells me that that accursed race of Jewish swine , the Christians , have had the presumption to write upon the Capitol , ' Jupiter is not ^ God / ancl words to tLe same effect . "

" Can this be true ? " said Caius in astonishment . " I thought that that sect had been longsince extinct . Can men so far forget themselves as to revile the gods . AThat fate can be too bitter for these Christians—these Avorshippers of

a thief who died upon a cross-r—these feeders on the flesh of young children ? " So spake one of the most liberal-minded and enlightened men of his day in Rome , of the humble followers of Jesus . " They have presumed upon my clemency , for

Jove knows Ave entered upon our reign with the fullest intentions to stop all bloodshed arising from these jarring creeds , but theyfproclaim that they serve a higher monarch than us , and obey his laAvs before ours . A conspiracy too has been discovered ,

in which they are the leaders , to destroy us , and all the first men of Rome . " " AVho gave this information ?" " A private hand , from Avhom we ivill learn more . And as if our troubles were not sufficient

ive can learn from the Avriter Cenna , that there flourishes at this present moment in Rome a society of these abominable votaries of Bacchus . "

" This is indeed terrible , and Rome must tremble lest the gods annihilate her for these sins . " " Another sect too has come back to Rome , the Stoics , whom a predecessor of ours most Avisely drove out . This sect has engulphed in their

inaAV , seemingly all the philosophies of the world , ivhieh they turn to the most pernicious purposes , teaching a strange doctrine of the equality of man , and bringing the gods by their scepticism into contempt . So far has Cassius been able to learn

from a young Roman , AVIIO has been initiated into their mysteries . " Lyons had shuddered as he listened to the last words of the Emperor , for he had been received into the society of the Stoics , to Avhich Adrian also belonged . The Stoics had alivays been an object of suspicion to the Roman powers , more

especially when they became the mystagogues of the mysteries of Eleusis . Vague rumours circulated through Rome regarding ¦ them , the most fanciful ancl absurd theories , which alarmed the jmblic mind , ancl called down upon the professors

the lvrath of the priests , who dreaded , in the licence of speech and the secrecy of their meetings , the downfall of their power , ancl the emancipation of the votaries of their gods from the trammels of ignorance . For their liberty of speech

and thought the infamous Domitian persecuted ancl massacred them , crimes of the worst character Avere ascribed to them , crimes of which they were not only innocent , but condemned and deplored ? Philosophy and Christianity both were blamed for

all misfortunes , the former as the instigator , the latter as the blind but Avilling tool . " "ATho may this Roman be , so please you sire ? " asked Lycus , his cheek blanching at the peril which threatened both him ancl his friends . " Cossus is the youth / ' replied the Emperor , " ancl he deserves our thanks for his

information . " "And what reward receives he for this treachery ? " demanded Caius , "for it is treachery , although done in the service of the Slate . " " Thou art a poet , my Caius , " answered

Trajan , goocl humouredly , " and knowing life but in . its purest features , conioundesfc treachery with loyalty . Had we no conspiracies ive ivould not have traitors . But Avhat reward , Cassius , does he demand ?"

" My niece's hand in marriage . " " A woman's plot , by Juno , " exclaimed Clodio , grimly . " Wherever mischief is , be sure a ivoman ' s there . " "Thou art not married , Prefect . Are vre to

count that compliment of yours as ' the grapes are sour / " said the Emperor Avith a smile . "No . I thank Diana—she never married I think—for that ancl all my other deliverances . The Dacians were turtle cloves to these wild

cats . " " Well , well , " said Trajan , " Cassius let him have his reward at any rata . " " Death ! " muttered Lycus to himself , clenching- his hand , " the death of the traitor shall be

his reward , " and he turned aside , buried in thought , from which he was aroused by the voice of Caius again addressing the Emperor on the behalf oi the philosophers . " Sire , believe me , you misjudge these men