m up in their accustomed
place, and himself subside into well-earned idleness. Being the first
time, for many months, that he had seen his mistress, he muttered some
rough ejaculations expressive of servile devotion, and then stood in
lazy attitude awaiting her permission to speak further.

'Your master, Drumo?'

'Will not return to-night,' the man responded. 'The emperor demands his
presence.'

'And that will detain him--'

'He knows not how long. But immediately after that there is to be a
brave feast at the house of the poet Emilius, and it will doubtless be
morning before they separate.'

'He bade you tell me this?'

The giant nodded.

'It is well. That is all; you can go. You may both go, for I would be
alone.'

The armor bearer turned upon his heel and strode away, the sword and
buckler, together with his own rougher trappings, rattling at his back
as he passed down the hall; and behind him slowly crept away the
bondwoman. And AEnone, once more leaning back upon the lounge, gave
herself up to sombre reflection.

It was of course no more than proper, she mused, that her lord should
obey the behests of the emperor and wait upon him. Perhaps new honors
would then be showered down; and, at the least, it was no light
privilege to stand in the presence of the ruler of the world, and there
give personal narration of his exploits. But when that interview was
over, what need to join the revels of another household, instead of
hurrying back to place his newly won garlands at her feet?

She pondered upon the dubious reputation which attached to the house of
the poet Emilius, and recalled the terrible stories which, from time to
time, she had heard regarding it. What might be the realities of the
scenes there enacted, none could truly tell, except the few most
intimate frequenters of the place; but report gave no flattering
description of them. Even among the Roman ladies with whom she was
associated, and whose information was confined to such stray bits of
gossip as they had picked up from slaves and menials, and who, standing
in unconscious awe of her simple purity of heart, often forebore to
speak with her as freely and unguardedly as with each other, she had
occasionally heard such startling tales of the wild dissipations there
enacted, as surpassed conception, and left her horrified senses no calm
refuge except in unbelief. The gorgeous feasts, the night-long
libations, the social intimacy with dancing girl