Over this work he frequently shook his head which was covered with crisp waves of hair; nay--he once flung the pencil, with which he was working his calculations, down on the table, leaned back in his seat and covered his eyes with both hands.

Then again he began to write fresh numbers, but his new results seemed to be no more satisfactory than the former one.
The steward's letter had been for a long time lying before him when at last it again caught his attention as he put out his hand for another document.

Needing some change of ideas he tore it open, read it and flung it from him with annoyance.

At any other time he would have expressed some sympathy with the suffering girl, have laughed at the ridiculous man, and have thought out some trick to tease or to terrify; but just now the steward's threats made him angry and increased his dislike for him.
Tired of the silence around him he called to Antinous, who sat gazing dreamily down on the harbor; the youth immediately approached his master.

Hadrian looked at him and said, shaking his head: "Why you too look as if some danger were threatening you.