He stood watching the legion until its dust-cloud settled behind some low-lying hills.

Then he stepped down from the pulpit.

Beyond a few menials and Drusus and that young man's late comrade in danger, no one else was visible.

The transaction had been so sudden as to have something of the phantasmagoric about it.
Caesar took his two friends, one by each hand, and led them back to his private study in the praetorium.
"The army is yours, Imperator," said Curio, breaking a rather oppressive silence.

"The newest recruit is yours to the death." "Yes, to the death," replied the general, abstractedly; and his keen eyes wandered down upon the mosaic, seemingly penetrating the stone and seeking something hidden beneath.