The appearance, in short, of this false philosopher was not calculated to subdue the rash tongues of the Alexandrians.
To this many of them agreed; still, there was no time for such reflections till the dust had shrouded the chariot, which vanished as quickly as it had come, till the shouting was stilled, and the crowd had spread over the roadway again.

Then they began to ask themselves why they had joined in the acclamations, and had been so wildly excited; how it was that they had so promptly surrendered their self-possession and dignity for the sake of this wicked little man.

Perhaps it was his unlimited control over the weal and woe of the world, over the life and death of millions, which raised a mortal, not otherwise formed for greatness, so far above common humanity to a semblance of divinity.
Perhaps it was the instinctive craving to take part in the grand impulsive expression of thousands of others that had carried away each individual.

It was beyond a doubt a mysterious force which had compelled every one to do as his neighbors did as soon as Caesar had appeared.
Melissa had succumbed with the rest; she had shouted and waved her kerchief, and had not heeded Andreas when he held her hand and asked her to consider what a criminal this man was whom she so eagerly hailed.

It was not till all was still again that she recollected herself, and her determination to get the famous physician to visit her lover revived in renewed strength.
Fully resolved to dare all, she looked about with calm scrutiny, considering the ways and means of achieving her purpose without any aid from Andreas.