“It will be difficult to find an Urania ready-made as tall as her sisters, and we have no time to search one out, a new one must be made.”

“In eight days?”

“And eight nights.”

“But my good friend, only to get the marble—­”

“Who thinks of marble?  Papias will make us one of straw, rags and gypsum—­I know his magic hand—­and in order that the others may not be too unlike their new-born sister they shall be whitewashed.”

“Capital—­but why choose Papias when we have Harmodius?”

“Harmodius takes art in earnest, and we should have the Emperor here before he had completed his sketches.  Papias works with thirty assistants at anything that is ordered of him, so long as it brings him money.  His last things certainly amaze me, particularly the Hygyeia for Dositheus the Jew, and the bust of Plutarch put up in the Caesareum. they are full of grace and power.  But who can distinguish what is his work and what that of his scholars?  Enough, he knows how things should be done; and if a good sum is to be got by it he will hew you out a whole sea-fight in marble in five days.”

“Then give Papias the commission but the hapless mutilated pavements-what will you do with them?”

“Gypsum and paint must mend them,” said Pontius, “and where that will not do, we must lay carpets on the floor in the Eastern fashion.  Merciful night! how dark it is growing; give me the plan Keraunus and provide us with torches and lamps for to-day, and the next following ones must have twenty-four hours apiece, full measure.  I must ask you for half a dozen trustworthy slaves Titianus; I shall want them for messengers.  What are you standing there for man?  Lights, I said.  You have had half a lifetime to rest in, and when Caesar is gone you will have as many more years for the same laudable purpose—­”

As he spoke the steward had silently gone off, but the architect did not spare him the end of the sentence; he shouted after him: 

“Unless by that time you are smothered in your own fat.  Is it Nile-mud or blood that runs in that huge mortal’s veins?”

“I am sure I do not care,” said the prefect, “so long as the glorious fire that flows in yours only holds out till the work is done.  Do not allow yourself to be overworked at first, nor require the impossible of your strength, for Rome and the world still expect great things of you.  I can now write in perfect security to the Emperor that all will be ready for him in Lochias, and as a farewell speech, I can only say, it is folly to be discouraged if only Pontius is at hand to support and assist me.”

CHAPTER III.