“Nero has chosen well this time, methinks,”
he said after a close scrutiny of the newcomer.
“It is no easy post on which you have entered,
Beric. Nero is changeable in his moods, but you
carry your heart in your face, and even he can have
no suspicions of you. Take my advice, make friends
with no man, for one who stands high in court favour
today may be an exile or condemned tomorrow, and then
all connected with him in any way are apt to share
his fate; therefore, it is best to stand quite alone.
By tomorrow morning you will find everything in readiness
for you here.”
Upon leaving Phaon, Beric was conducted to the room
where he had left Scopus. The latter at once
joined him, and without asking any questions left
the palace with him.
“I would ask nothing until you were outside,”
Scopus said. “They were wondering there
at the long audience you have had with Nero.
Judging by the gravity of your face, things have not
gone well with you.”
“They have gone well in one sense,” Beric
said, “though I would vastly rather that they
had gone otherwise. I feel very much more fear
now than when I stood awaiting the attack of the lion.”
And he then related to Scopus the conversation he
had had with Nero. The lanista inclined himself
humbly to the ground.
“You are a great man now, Beric, though, as
you say, the place is not without its dangers.
I guessed when Caesar sent for you that he purposed
to use your strength and courage in his service.
Your face is one that invites trust, and Nero was
wise enough to see that if he were to trust you he
must trust you altogether. He has acted wisely.
He deemed that, having no friends and connections in
Rome, he could rely upon you as he could rely upon
no one who is a native here. You will be a great
man, for a time at any rate.”
“I would rather have remained at your ludus,
Scopus. I shall feel like a little dog I saw
the other day in a cage of one of the lions.
The beast seemed fond of it, but the little creature
knew well that at any moment the lion might stretch
out its paw and crush it.”
Scopus nodded.
“That is true enough, Beric, though there are
tens of thousands in Rome who would gladly run the
risk for the sake of the honour and profit. Still,
as I said to you before we started, I have faith in
your good fortune and quickness, and believe that you
may escape from the bars where another would lose
his skin. Tell to none but myself what Caesar
has said to you. The world will soon guess that
your post as private librarian is but a pretext for
Caesar to have you near him. It is not by such
a post that the victor of the arena would be rewarded.”
They now went together to a goldsmith.
“Ah! Scopus, I have been expecting you.
I saw you in the arena with your two gladiators.
Afterwards I saw this tall young Briton fight the
lion, and when I heard that he was at your ludus I
said to myself, ’Scopus will be bringing him
to me to dispose of some of the jewelry to which the
ladies were so prodigal.’”
