To whom?
That must depend on how you behave during the last hours that you belong to us." The negro gave a loud cry of grief that came from the depth of his heart, and flung himself on the ground at the steward's feet.

His cry did indeed pierce his master's soul--but Keraunus had made up his mind not to let himself be moved nor to yield.

But the negro clung more closely to his knees, and when the children, attracted to the spot by their poor old friend's lamentation, cried loudly in unison, and little Helios began to pat and stroke the little remains of the negro's woolly hair, the vain man felt uneasy about the heart, and to protect himself against his own weakness he cried out loudly and violently: "Now, away with you, and do as you are ordered or I will find the whip." With these words he tore himself loose from the miserable--old man who left the room with his head hanging down, and who soon was standing at the door of the Emperor's rooms with the letter in his hand.

Hadrian's appearance and manner had filled him with terror and respect, and he dared not knock at the door.

After he had waited for some time, still with tears in his eyes, Mastor came into the passage with the remains of his master's breakfast.