principle, and with the most total disregard of right or wrong, as
Lucia Orestilla; but certainly there was not one, who would have resisted
commands, threats, violence, more pertinaciously or dauntlessly, than the
same Lucia, should her will and his councils ever be set at twain.

While Paullus was yet conversing in an under tone with this strange girl,
and becoming every moment more and more fascinated by the whole tone of
her remarks, which were free, and even bold, as contrasted with the
bashful air and timid glances which accompanied them, the curtains of the
Tablinum were drawn apart, and a soft symphony of flutes stealing in from
the atrium, announced that the dinner was prepared.

"My Curius," exclaimed Catiline, "I must entreat you to take charge of
Fulvia; I had proposed myself that pleasure, intending that you should
escort Sempronia, and Decius my own Orestilla; but, as it is, we will each
abide by his own lady; and Paullus here will pardon the youth and rawness
of my Lucia."

"By heaven! I would wish nothing better," said Curius, taking Fulvia by
the hand, and leading her forward. "Should you, Arvina?"

"Not I, indeed," replied Paullus, "if Lucia be content." And he looked to
catch her eye, as he took her soft hand in his own, but her face remained
cold and pale as marble, and her eye downcast.

As they passed out, however, into the fauces, or passage leading to the
dining-room, Catiline added,

"As we are all, I may say, one family and party, I have desired the slaves
to spread couches only; the ladies will recline with us, instead of
sitting at the board."

At this moment, did Paullus fancy it? or did that beautiful pale girl
indeed press his fingers in her own? he could not be mistaken; and yet
there was the downcast eye, the immoveable cheek, and the unsmiling aspect
of the rosy mouth. But he returned the pressure, and that so
significantly, that she at least could not be mistaken; nor was she, for
her eye again met his, with that deep amorous languid glance; was
bashfully withdrawn; and then met his again, glancing askance through the
dark fringed lids, and a quick flashing smile, and a burning blush
followed; and in a second's space she was again as cold, as impassive as a
marble statue.

They reached the triclinium, a beautiful oblong apartment, gorgeously
painted with arabesques of gold and scarlet upon a deep azure ground work.
A circular table, covered with a white cloth, bordered with a