In the first place, of the benefits Diodoros was to derive from the great Galen; then of her father, who this day must dispense with her assistance; and, finally, of the state of mind of her grave brother Philip.

He and Alexander, who usually were such united friends, now both were in love with Agatha, and what could come of that?
And from time to time her thoughts flew back to Caesar, and she felt as though some tie, she knew not what, linked them together.
As soon as the litter had to be carried up or down steps, she kept an eye on the bearers, and gave such help as was needed when the sleeper's position was changed.

Whenever she looked in his handsome face, flushed as it was by fever and framed in tumbled curls, her heart swelled, and she felt that she had much to thank the gods for, seeing that her lover was so full of splendid youth and in no respect resembled the prematurely decrepit and sickly wearer of the purple.

Nevertheless, she thought a good deal of Caracalla, and it even occurred to her once that if it were he who was being carried instead of Diodoros, she would tend him no less carefully than her betrothed.

Caesar, who had been as far out of her ken as a god, and of whose overwhelming power she had heard, had suddenly come down to her.