Now I must see this rabble." And the mob of clients swept up to the armchair, grasping after the great man's hand, and raining on him their _aves_, while some daring mortals tried to thrust in a kiss.
Pratinas drew back and watched the crowd with a smile half cynical, half amused.

Some of the visitors were regular hangers-on, who perhaps expected an invitation to dine; some were seekers of patronage; some had an eye to political preferment, a few were real acquaintances of Calatinus or came on some legitimate business.

Pratinas observed three friends waiting to speak with Calatinus, and was soon in conversation.
The first of the trio was known as Publius Gabinius, who was by far the oldest.

Coarse-featured, with broken complexion, it needed but a glance to proclaim him as gifted with no other distinctions than those of a hard drinker, fast liver, and the owner of an attenuated conscience.

Servius Flaccus, the second, was of a different type.