[The Emperor<br> Complete by Georg Ebers]@TWC D-Link book
The Emperor
Complete

CHAPTER IV
13/20

And where am I to get the money to fill us all with meat ?" "We need none, but for you it is necessary." "It is of no use, child.

The butcher will not trust us any more, the other creditors press us, and at the end of the month we shall have just ten drachmae left us." The girl turned pale, and asked in anxiety: "But, father, it was only to-day that you showed me the three gold pieces which you said had been given you as a present out of the money distributed on the arrival of the Empress." The steward absently rolled a piece of bread-crumb between his fingers and said: "I spent that on this fibula with an incised onyx--and as cheap as dirt, I can tell you.

If Caesar comes he must see who and what I am; and if I die any one will give you twice as much for it as I paid.

I tell you the Empress's money was well laid out on the thing." Selene made no answer, but she sighed deeply, and her eye glanced at a quantity of useless things which her father had acquired and brought home because they were cheap, while she and her seven sisters wanted the most necessary things.
"Father," the girl began again after a short silence, "I ought not to go on about it, but even if it vexes you, I must--the architect, who is settling all the work out there, has sent for you twice already." "Be silent!" shouted the fat man, striking his hand on the table.

"Who is this Pontius, and who am I!" "You are of a noble Macedonian family, related perhaps even to the Ptolemies; you have your seat in the Council of the Citizens--but do, this time, be condescending and kind.


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