Page:Secret History of the Court of the Emperor Justinian 1674.djvu/76

  and called the Macedonian, who having great power with Justin, she writ to her, and made her an instrument in the death of many of the principal Officers in the East, and in the confiscation of their Goods. This Macedonian hearing Theodora complaining at her return from Egypt and Africk of the ill treatment she had received from Hecebolus, and of a loss she had sustained in her journey, of a considerable sum of Money; telling her by way of consolation, That Fortune, ''as she had taken them away, might, when she pleased, return them in greater plenty. Theodora replied, That she was not troubled in the least; for the night before she had seen a vision, which had bid her not concern her self, and told her, That as soon as she should come to Constanti­nople, she should be admitted to the Emperors Bed; and that by assistance which she should receive, she should marry him, and be put into possession of as much wealth as she could desire.'' And this was the common report upon that subject.

Justinian (though he was as I have described) was of so easie access, and so civil in all his re­ceptions, that no man was ever denied to speak with him; nor did he seem ever provoked or discomposed, when any person failed in their respects toward him, either by word or deed. The ruine and misery which he was preparing for other people, never made any alteration in him. He never expressed any Passion, nor the least resentment against those he had destined to destruction, but with a countenance peaceable and serene; and a voice without any on,