he Thracian slaves."

"No! by the Gods, Hortensia!" the young man interrupted her, his whole
face flushing with excitement, "you do shame to my manhood, by your
caution. There is in truth no shadow of danger. Besides," he added,
laughing at his own impetuosity, "I shall be far beyond the Esquiline ere
excellent old Davus could rouse those sturdy knaves of yours, or find the
armory key; for lo! I will but tarry to taste one cup of your choice of
Chian to my Julia's health, and then straight homeward. Have a care, my
fair boy, that flagon is too heavy to be lifted safely by such small hands
as thine, and its contents too precious to be wasted. Soh! that's well
done; thou'lt prove a second Ganymede! Health, Julia, and good dreams--may
all fair things attend thee, until we meet again."

"And when shall that be, Paul," whispered his mistress, a momentary flush
shooting across brow, neck, and bosom, as she spoke, and leaving her, a
second afterward, even paler than her wont, between anxiety and fear, and
the pain even of this temporary parting--"when shall that be? to-morrow?"

"Surely, to-morrow! fairest," he replied, clasping her little hand with a
fond pressure, "unless, which may the Gods avert! anything unforeseen
prevent me. Give me my toga, boy," he added, "and see if Thrasea waits,
and if his torch be lighted."

"Bid him come hither, Geta," Hortensia interposed, addressing the boy as
he left the room, "and tell old Davus to accompany him, bringing the keys
of the peristyle and of the garden gate. So shalt thou gain the Esquiline
more easily."

Her orders were obeyed as soon as they were spoken, and but few moments
intervened before the aged steward, and the freedman with his staff and
torch, the latter so prepared by an art common to the ancients as to set
almost any violence of wind or rain at defiance, stood waiting their
commands.

Familiar and kind words were interchanged between those high-born ladies
and the trustworthy follower of young Arvina. For those were days, when no
cold etiquette fettered the freedom of the tongue, and when no rank, how
stately or how proud soever, induced austerity of bearing or haughtiness
toward inferiors; and these concluded, greetings, briefer but far more
warm, followed between the master and his intended bride.

"Sweet slumbers, Julia, and a happy wakening attend you! Farewell,
Hortensia; both of ye farewell!" and passing into the colonnade through
the door which Davus had