osom bare, dancing and singing, and carrying garlands in
their hands of roses and myrtle, woven with strips of the philyra, or
inner bark of the linden tree, which was believed to be a specific against
intoxication. Circling around the board, in time to the soft music, they
crowned each of the guests, and sprinkled with rich perfumes the garments
and the hair of each; and then with more animated and eccentric gestures,
as the note of the flute waxed shriller and more piercing, they bounded
from the banquet hall, and were succeeded by six boys with silver basins,
full of tepid water perfumed with costly essences, and soft embroidered
napkins, which they handed to every banqueter to wash the hands before
eating.

This done, the music died away into a low faint close, and was silent; and
in the hush that followed, an aged slave bore round a mighty flask of
Chian wine, diluted with snow water, and replenished the goblets of
stained glass, which stood beside each guest; while another dispensed
bread from a lordly basket of wrought gilded scroll work.

And now the feast commenced, in earnest; as the first course, consisting
of fresh eggs boiled hard, with lettuce, radishes, endive and rockets,
olives of Venafrum, anchovies and sardines, and the choicest luxury of the
day--hot sausages served upon gridirons of silver, with the rich gravy
dripping through the bars upon a sauce of Syrian prunes and pomegranate
berries--was placed upon the board.

For a time there was little conversation beyond the ordinary courtesies of
the table, and such trifling jests as were suggested by occurrences of the
moment. Yet still in the few words that passed from time to time, Paullus
continued often to convey his sentiments to Lucia in words of double
meaning; keenly marked, it is true, but seemingly unobserved by the wily
plotter opposite; and more than once in handing her the goblet, or loading
her plate with dainties, he took an opportunity again and again of
pressing her not unwilling hand. And still at every pressure he caught
that soft momentary glance, was it of love and passion, or of mere
coquetry and girlish wantonness, succeeded by the fleeting blush pervading
face, neck, arms, and bosom.

Never had Paullus been so wildly fascinated; his heart throbbed and
bounded as if it would have burst his breast; his head swam with a sort of
pleasurable dizziness; his eyes were dim and suffused; and he scarce knew
that he was talking, though he