CHAPTER XVI: IN NERO'S PALACE

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."

1. What had Baron left?
2. Was this a regular house?
3. What was it?
4. Did Scopus want to ask him something inside?
5. Did Scopus think things had been going great?
6. How did Beric feel now?
7. Did he compare his feelings to anything else?
8. What?
9. Who did Beric say he had been talking with?
10. Who had sent for Beric?
11. What did Caesar want?
1. unknown
2. no
3. a palace
4. yes
5. no
6. afraid
7. yes
8. when he stood awaiting the attack of the lion
9. Nero
10. Caesar
11. to use his strength and courage