The Imperial legate had not made his appearance; he had preferred to remain for the present at the prefect's house, intending to preside, later in the day, at the races as the Emperor's representative, side by side with the Prefect Evagrius--who also kept aloof during the attack on the Serapeum.
After a brief colloquy, Romanus signed to Constantine, the captain of the cavalry; the troop dismounted, and, led by their officer, marched up the slope that led to the great gate of the Serapeum.

They were followed by the Comes with his staff; next to him pale and somewhat tremulous came some of the city officials and a few Christian members of the senate; and then the Bishop--who had preferred to come last--with all the Christian priesthood and a crowd of chanting monks.

The train was closed by a division of heavy-armed infantry; and after them the populace rushed in, unchecked by the soldiers who stood outside the temple.
The great halls of the Serapeum had been put in order as well as possible in so short a time.

Of all those who, the day before, had crowded in to defend the god and his house, none were left but Porphyrius and those who were nursing him.

After a long and agonizing period of silence heavy fists came thundering at the door.