"Now till noon I must work with Phlegon and Titianus, whom I am expecting, and then perhaps we may find something to laugh at.

Ask the tall sculptor there behind the screens, at what hour Balbilla is to sit to him for her bust.

We must also inspect the architect's work, and that of the Alexandrian artists by daylight; that, their zeal has well deserved." Hadrian retired to the room where his private secretary had ready for him the despatches and papers for Rome and the provinces, which the Emperor was required to read and to sign.

Antinous remained alone in the sitting-room, and for an hour he continued to gaze at the ships which came to anchor in the harbor, or sailed out of the roads, and amused himself with watching the swift boats which swarmed round the larger vessels, like wasps round ripe fruit.

He listened to the songs of the sailors, and the music of the flute-players, to the measured beat of the oars, which came up from the triremes in the private harbor of the Emperor as they went out to sea.