e insinuator that he is!'

'How! what mean you? Why that term?'

'It matters not: let me not rouse your indignation against one who does
not deserve so grave an honour.'

'I implore you speak. What has Glaucus insinuated? or rather, in what
do you suppose he has offended?'

Smothering his resentment at the last part of Ione's question, Arbaces
continued: 'You know his pursuits, his companions his habits; the
comissatio and the alea (the revel and the dice) make his occupation;
and amongst the associates of vice how can he dream of virtue?'

'Still you speak riddles. By the gods! I entreat you, say the worst at
once.'

'Well, then, it must be so. Know, my Ione, that it was but yesterday
that Glaucus boasted openly--yes, in the public baths--of your love to
him. He said it amused him to take advantage of it. Nay, I will do him
justice, he praised your beauty. Who could deny it? But he laughed
scornfully when his Clodius, or his Lepidus, asked him if he loved you
enough for marriage, and when he purposed to adorn his door-posts with
flowers?'

'Impossible! How heard you this base slander?'

'Nay, would you have me relate to you all the comments of the insolent
coxcombs with which the story has circled through the town? Be assured
that I myself disbelieved at first, and that I have now painfully been
convinced by several ear-witnesses of the truth of what I have
reluctantly told thee.'

Ione sank back, and her face was whiter than the pillar against which
she leaned for support.

'I own it vexed--it irritated me, to hear your name thus lightly pitched
from lip to lip, like some mere dancing-girl's fame. I hastened this
morning to seek and to warn you. I found Glaucus here. I was stung
from my self-possession. I could not conceal my feelings; nay, I was
uncourteous in thy presence. Canst thou forgive thy friend, Ione?'

Ione placed her hand in his, but replied not.

'Think no more of this,' said he; 'but let it be a warning voice, to
tell thee how much prudence thy lot requires. It cannot hurt thee,
Ione, for a moment; for a gay thing like this could never have been
honored by even a serious thought from Ione. These insults only wound
when they come from one we love; far different indeed is he whom the
lofty Ione shall stoop to love.'

'Love!' muttered Ione, with an hysterical laugh. 'Ay, indeed.'

It is not without interest to observe in those remote times, and under a
social system so wide