how we came to divine something of their purport. Now similar consultations are a-foot at present; and the emperor's resignation I take to be their design."

"You would greatly further the interests of Constantine," said Lucius, "if you would use the opportunity you possess to give him notice of any plots which may be laid against him."

Gallus's own inclinations were so much on Constantine's side, that he needed little pressing to decide him to take part directly in his favour.

"Why should we not learn at once what is passing?" said Lucius.

"You must walk cautiously," said Gallus; "the sword of Damocles is over your head." Thus speaking, he led the way to the very passage through which he had once before guided Lucius, when he left the palace. It was a vacancy behind the wall of the emperor's apartments, originally left with a view of leading to another chamber, but now accessible only through a hole which opened into another room, in which the emperor occasionally slept. This hole had been carefully stopped with a panel by some one who perceived the use which might be made of the passage, and a curtain hanging in front effectually concealed the place from observation. The passage led, at the other end, to the secret door by which Lucius had formerly escaped; but as this door opened only from within, the two friends were obliged to enter the passage from the bed-room. Yet as Gal

lus's office often led him there, they passed unchallenged; and thus they heard part of a conference, which, as it is reported by a contemporary historian,1 must ere long have found its way to the public. The Cæsar Galerius was pressing his father-in-law, Dioclesian, to resign the empire, alleging that he was weary of his fifteen years' service in Illyricum and against the barbarians of the Danube, and thought it time that he should rise to the higher title of Augustus. It was understood that Maximian, who, with Dioclesian, had hitherto borne this higher title, was ready also to resign. Constantius and Galerius would then succeed their two fathers-in-law in the title of Augustus, and two new Cæsars must be appointed.

"Well," said Dioclesian, "let it be; but, at all events, new Cæsars must be chosen according to the common opinion of all of us."

Galerius. "What is the use of taking opinions, when the two others must needs acquiesce in what we shall have done?"

Maximian's son, Maxentius, was of so ferocious a nature, that neither his relations nor the public desired his elevation; of him, therefore, there was no thought: but Dioclesian immediately mentioned Constantine, as being popular not only with the soldiers and people, but with himself. Galerius, however, cut him short. "He is not worthy. Even as a

1 Lactantius de M. P. § 18.

private man, he despised me; what will he do if he comes to be emperor?"

"And yet," said Dioclesian, "he is amiable; and would govern so as to be considered even better and more amiable than his father."

"The consequence would be," said Galerius, "that he would thwart all my wishes."

Dioclesian. "Whom would you have, then?"
66 Severus,"
," said the other.

Dioclesian. "What! that drunken fool, who makes night into day, and day into night?"

Galerius. "He is a fit man, and his liberality has gained the soldiers. I have already sent him to Maximian, to be declared his successor."

Dioclesian. "Well, whom would you name for the second?"

"Daia," said Galerius, referring to a halfbarbarian youth, whom he had lately raised from the situation of a herdsman to be a tribune in the army, and to whom he had given the name of Maximin.

"Who is he?" said Dioclesian.

"He is my relation," replied the other.

Dioclesian (with a sigh). "You don't give me fit men to undertake the care of the commonwealth."

66

Galerius. I have made good proof of them." Dioclesian. "The loss will be mainly yours, on whom the care of the government will chiefly fall.

THE FLIGHT.

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I have taken pains, so long as I could hold it, for the safety of the state. If any reverse befalls it, the fault will not be mine."

After hearing this singular conference, Lucius was doubly anxious to see Constantine, and to explain to him the machinations of his enemies. But the prince was not to be found till, towards the middle of the next day, Lucius saw him at a public assembly, to which the soldiery of all the legions in the neighbourhood were summoned. Constantine, who had been into the country, returned just in time to attend it. The place of meeting was near a lofty column, crowned with a statue of Jupiter, which had been erected as a memorial that in an elevated rostrum in that very place Galerius himself had first been presented to the soldiery in his imperial dress. The rumour spread that Dioclesian would that day take a step, which he was known to have been meditating, and resign a sceptre which was become too burdensome for his declining years. All looked to Constantine as his successor. The soldiers were expressing their hopes of his elevation, and Lucius was in vain endeavouring to make his way up to him, when a sudden call to silence announced the appearance of the aged emperor. Ascending the rostrum, he said, with tears, that his broken health required rest; that he must now commit the to firmer hands, and appoint fresh Cæsars. At sceptre this point, every one's expectation was raised to the utmost pitch. What was the astonishment of all

B B

who were present, with the exception of Lucius, who knew the resolve which had been taken, when he declared that Severus and Maximin were Cæsars. Severus was well known; but as for Maximin, men were at a loss to know who was meant by him. Some supposed that Constantine, whose father was Maximian's son-in-law, had received that name. But Constantine, who was on the rostrum, near the emperor, stood mute; while Galerius, reaching forth his hand, drew Daia from behind him, and, to the amazement of all, he was invested with the royal purple. People began to ask who he was, and whence came he. But so sudden was the blow, that no voice was raised in opposition. Meanwhile Dioclesian descended from the rostrum, well satisfied, as it seemed, with his own escape from the cares of office; and saying that he might now return to his original name of Diocles, he left the capital for the town of Salona, in his native Illyria.

But though Lucius's information had not enabled Constantine to take any steps for averting the injury which was thus done him, yet it was not without its value. From perceiving the full extent of Galerius's hostility, he learnt that his safety could only be secured by his departure from the imperial court. Till this could be effected, he begged Lucius to continue at his quarters in the palace, where Gallus willingly allowed him to remain.

But Constantine's course was not so easy as might be expected. When he mentioned to Galerius,