re is ... where is the praefect now?" asked Dea Flavia.

"In the room out of thy studio, gracious mistress, as thou didst direct.
Dion did prepare a couch for him there, and hath laid him down."

"And the physician?"

"The physician hath seen him. He saith that the praefect is weak with
loss of blood. His shoulders, arms and legs have been torn by the
panther's claws, but these wounds are not deep."

"And ... and the dagger thrust?"

"The physician saith that the dagger must have glanced off the bone. I
did not quite understand what he said, and Dion explained it badly."

"He did not say that there was poison in the dagger?"

"I think not, gracious lady; for the physician said that the praefect
would soon be well if he were carefully tended. He is very weak with
loss of blood."

"Did Nolus and Dion find it difficult to approach the praefect's body?"

"They had to parley with the aedile who was in command, and to give him
all the money which my gracious mistress did entrust to them for that
purpose."

"After which the aedile made no demur ... and asked no questions?"

"The aedile took the money, gracious lady, and Dion said that he asked
no further questions, but allowed the praefect to be borne away."

"That is well," said Dea Flavia, after a brief moment of silence, whilst
the girl stood awaiting her further pleasure. "Thou, Blanca, hath served
me faithfully, so have Nolus and Dion, my slaves. Ye have earned your
reward, and though I am grieved to part from good servants like you, yet
will I fulfil my promise, even as I have given it to you. From this
hour, thou, Blanca, art a freewoman, and Nolus thy brother, and Dion,
thy future husband, are freemen, and the sum of six hundred aurei shall
be given unto you to-morrow--two hundred unto each--and may you live
long and prosper and be happy, for you have served me well."

Blanca fell upon her knees and kissed the coverlet on which reposed her
mistress; but Dea Flavia did not seem to see her. She was squatting on
her heels, with body and head erect, and slowly now, like the rosy kiss
of dawn upon the snow-clad hills of Etruria, a faint crimson glow spread
over her pale cheeks.

Blanca waited irresolute, not liking to leave her mistress before she
could be assured that sleep had descended at last on those weary lids.
The hour was very late, close upon midnight, and yet the city was not
asleep. That constant murmur--like unto the breaking of angry
waves--stil