Unto Caesar
Baroness Emma Orczy
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
"The State," he said, speaking at least as haughtily as Dea Flavia herself, "hath agreed to accept the sum of twenty aurei for this slave. 'Tis too late now to make further bids for her."
But a pair of large blue eyes, cold as the waters of the Tiber and like unto them mysterious and elusive, were turned fully on the speaker.
"Too late didst thou say, oh Taurus Antinor?" said Dea Flavia raising her pencilled eyebrows with a slight expression of scorn, "nay! I had not seen the hammer descend! The girl until then is not sold, and open to the highest bidder. Or am I wrong, O praefect, in thus interpreting the laws of Rome?"
"This is an exceptional case, Augusta," he retorted curtly.
"Then wilt thou expound to me that law which deals with such exceptional cases?" she rejoined with the same ill-concealed tone of gentle irony. "I had never heard of it; so I pray thee enlighten mine ignorance. Of a truth thou must know the law, since thou didst swear before the altar of the gods to uphold it with all thy might."
"'Tis not a case of law, Augusta, but one of pity."
The praefect, feeling no doubt the weakness of any argument which aimed at coercing this daughter of the Cæsars, prompted too by his innate respect of the law which he administered, thought it best to retreat from his position of haughty arrogance and to make an appeal, since obviously he could not command. Dea Flavia was quick to note this change of attitude, and her delicate lips parted in a contemptuous smile.
"Dost administer pity as well as law, O Taurus Antinor?" she asked coldly. - Summary from the book (0 hr 29 min)
Chapters
Chapter I | 15:12 | Read by Beth Thomas (1974-2020) |
Chapter II | 18:29 | Read by Greg Lewin |
Chapter III | 23:16 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter IV | 19:18 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter V | 33:06 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter VI | 38:31 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter VII | 23:22 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter VIII | 40:45 | Read by Hope K |
Chapter IX | 19:59 | Read by Hope K |
Chapter X | 14:19 | Read by Hope K |
Chapter XI | 39:46 | Read by Deon Gines |
Chapter XII | 20:31 | Read by Deon Gines |
Chapter XIII | 13:09 | Read by Deon Gines |
Chapter XIV | 46:56 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter XV | 22:08 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter XVI | 13:21 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter XVII | 10:45 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter XVIII | 9:48 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter XIX | 4:33 | Read by Hope K |
Chapter XX | 14:54 | Read by Hope K |
Chapter XXI | 9:38 | Read by Hope K |
Chapter XXII | 14:14 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter XXIII | 12:38 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter XXIV | 12:13 | Read by Hope K |
Chapter XXV | 16:39 | Read by Hope K |
Chapter XXVI | 15:45 | Read by Hope K |
Chapter XXVII | 19:28 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter XXVIII | 19:00 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter XXIX | 22:33 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter XXX | 45:24 | Read by Hope K |
Chapter XXXI | 18:37 | Read by Bill Mosley |
Chapter XXXII | 28:30 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter XXXIII | 25:00 | Read by Jules Hawryluk |
Chapter XXXIV | 26:34 | Read by Hope K |
Chapter XXXV | 9:52 | Read by Beth Thomas (1974-2020) |
Chapter XXXVI | 11:12 | Read by Beth Thomas (1974-2020) |
Reviews
Great story
Rai
Some of the readers were easy to The ears, others not so much. Use the rabbit icon to speed up the slow plodding readers and you will enjoy the story! The book itself is well written. I think it’s evident that this is Sir Percy Blakney’s ancestor in Rome. My only sad point with this book is that the character consistently focuses on the death of Christ. I wish Orczy had him visit the empty tomb. There is only hope in Christ because He rise from the dead. His resurrection is where victory lies. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Come one come all, never mind your ability
Ellen’s
Such a shame. Chapters 1. & 2 were delightful renderings but then chapter 3 introduces a reader who from then on dominates the reading of the book. With all due respect I don’t know how this gentleman comes to view his vocal qualities acceptable for public recording. The book cannot be endured. Too bad...the story was developing nicely and then BAM! Destroyed.
gripping tale.
Lily
Well done all readers. When I reached chapter 3 I noticed that the speed needed to be adjusted to make the book more enjoyable...for the uninitiated...it's the little rabbit icon top right hand. Great story, well narrated.
good historical fiction
Bruce G
This may be one of the Baroness better stories, l love most of them and become interested in the period that the story is about. Thank you to all the readers, it is much appreciated
A LibriVox Listener
Amazing story. Enjoyment was diminished greatly by one of the reader’s grating delivery 😏
A LibriVox Listener
Good story. Male readers need to speed it up a little. Too slow.
Good book
Chessphile
Very interesting just speed up the ponderous narrator