ut of place. See that thou blurt it out
abruptly, as if unable to keep silence any longer, as soon as the others
have finished their tale. Begone and be speedy. Lentulus will be here
anon!"

The freedman withdrew silently, and Catiline was left alone in communion
with his own bad and bitter thoughts; and painful, as it seemed, and
terrible, even to himself, was that communion, for he rose up from his
seat and paced the room impetuously, to and fro, gnashing and grinding his
teeth, and biting his lips till the blood sprang out.

After a while, however, he mastered his passions, and began to dress
himself, which he did by fits and starts in a manner perfectly
characteristic of the man, uttering hideous imprecations if the least
thing ran counter to his wishes, and flinging the various articles of his
attire about the chamber with almost frantic violence.

By the time he had finished dressing himself, Lentulus was announced, and
entered with his dignified and haughty manner, not all unmixed with an air
of indolence.

"All hail, my Sergius," he exclaimed, as he crossed the threshold. "What
hast thou of so grave importance, that thou must intercept me on my way to
the judgment seat? Nothing has gone wrong in our councils--ha?"

"Nothing that I know," answered Catiline, "but here are two of my
trustiest clients, Stolo and Rufinus, have been these three hours waiting
for my awakening, that I might gain your ear for them. They sent me word
they had a very heavy charge to make to you; but for my part, I have not
seen them, and know not what it is."

"Tush! tush! man; never tell me that," replied Lentulus, with a grim
smile. "Do you think I will believe you have sent for me all the way
hither this morning, without some object of your own to serve? No! no! my
friend; with whomsoever that may pass, it will not go current with
Cornelius Lentulus!"

"Just as you please," said the traitor; "you may believe me or not exactly
as you choose; but it is true, nevertheless, that I have neither seen the
men, nor spoken with them. Nor do I know at all what they want."

"I would, then, you had not sent for me," answered the other. "Come, let
us have the knaves in. I suppose they have been robbing some one's
hen-roost, and want to lay the blame on some one else!"

"What ho! Chaerea."

And as he spoke the word, the curtain which covered the door-way was
withdrawn, and the keen-witted freedman made his appearance.

"Admit those fello