Caesar was no longer talking wildly; and the freedman knew that when in a calm mood the proconsul was always perfectly serious.
"Domine, you have not rashly determined this ?" he hinted.
"I have determined nothing.

I never rashly determine anything.

Hark! Some one is at the door." There was a loud military knock, and the clang of armour.
"Enter," commanded Caesar.
Decimus Mamercus hastened into the room.

So great was his excitement that his Roman discipline had forsaken him.

He neglected to salute.
"News! news! Imperator! from Rome! News which will set all Italy afire!" Whereupon the man who had but just before been talking of suicide, with the greatest possible deliberation seated himself on a comfortable chair, arranged his dress, and remarked with perfect coldness:-- "No tidings can justify a soldier in neglecting to salute his general." Decimus turned red with mortification, and saluted.
"Now," said Caesar, icily, "what have you to report ?" "Imperator," replied Decimus, trying to speak with unimpassioned preciseness, "a messenger has just arrived from Rome.