* Why, it would seem that I have taken a bolder flight than
even the city wit and cleverness of my Roman kinsman could
devise.'

' There is such a thing as taking too bold a flight for one's
welfere,' replied the other, recovering his voice ; * and country
ignorance will plainly do many a thing which city wit would
call folly. Had it been the last Caesar now — had it been
Augustus, perhaps you would have been sensible. But this
one ! To go to Capreae — to run the risk of being drowned,
or spitted, ere you set foot in the tiger's lair — or, failing that,
to be hauled before the tiger himself, and straightway hurled
from the cliffs into the sea for a mad-brained potter ! Gods
preserve us, Masthlion — have you taken leave of your senses?'



276 NEMRA part ii.
