Quintus Claudius, Volume 1 of 2

much such an entertainment as in our days would be given under corresponding circumstances. Thousands of colored lamps hung in long festoons from tree to tree. The quaintly-cli

was fastened to two tall masts and waved mysteriously in the night air, casting strange reflections; to

evening. "She is a splendid creature, this Lycoris! Always ready to spend millions for the pleasure o

taking the officer on one side, "quite in confidence.-Is what I heard to-

you

true

know what happen

; but I th

I solemnly and formally offered her the

Dom

er to her husband's message; but,

he fair Massilia

e begged with an engaging smile.

ficer

e with his strictness and sobriety, and yet there is something in him-how can I explain it?-something that is wanting in every one

id her hand familiarly

led and perfumed gallants, who think themselves happy to kiss th

lave, who had slowly followed h

aid, "everyth

ctors are ready? Very good;

is imperceptibly guided her compani

ere than up there from the terrace. What were we talking about?... oh! the

as not long b

heir conversation ceased, and they listened involuntarily to the Dionysiac hymn which reached them in softened tones from the distance. Out here even, in this remote alley, everything was festally illuminated; every leaf, ev

ou must have trodden on it; it cannot be twenty paces off and must be lying on the ground." Before Quintus fairly unde

ans

he turning-of Lyc

!" thought he. "

ll, but well made and of the sweetest grace. She pressed her finger mysteriously to he

?" asked Quintus,

ce," said the girl. "My

k on

nt-with impenetrable hedges on each side of us

asked Quintus wit

d Polycharma. Will

Polycharma,

w on each side had overgrown three-quarters of its width. Polycharma drew the folds of her dress more closely round her slim limbs, while the young man pushed aside the branches to the right and left. He looked round once more to see if he could discover Lycor

t ab

absolute secret, and return me th

wear it by

icion of its origin. He hastily broke the seal and the silk thread, and by

, my husband, holds out his hand to me in reconciliation. It costs me but one word, and I shall be again, as I have been, the mistress of Rome and sovereign of the world. But behold, beloved Quintus, all this might and all this splendor I will cast from me and go i

recipient, he could not shake off the feeling which he had already experienced at Baiae. A dull, unutterable loathing remained paramount in his soul, and the foppish figure of Paris, the actor, rose clearly before his fa

e balance finally; Quintus drew a wax

o make; but, as a true patriot, I must prefer the advantages which will ensue to the s

ench to reflect. Oh! that sly, intriguing Lycoris! She too, then, was paid by the Empress as well as by Stephanus! Subsidized by both, and a traitoress to both-for so much at any rate was certain: Stephanus

es were audible in the distance, mingled with the clatter of swords and arms. The next minute two dark figures ran across the entrance t

ed the young man strangely, and at the same time the light of the lamps fell on a pale a

an who held him stoutly up. "Hang on to my shoulders; a hundred steps

not a little

and quitting the open plot for one of the si

rous and wrathful than before. "This way,

housand sesterces to the man, wh

e in sight, running in breathless haste through the narrow pa

eager hurry: "We are seeking a crimin

ntus, suddenly felt an unaccountable impulse to p

ently from him. Meanwhile the others had come up. Quintus still barred the way simply by standing there. The band of men looked doubtfully now at the young nobleman,

at once what you wanted?-instead of that, you s

shed by him in

er the armed men. "But unless I have reckoned very

avenue by which Quintus returned, opened on to the terrace. A man of athletic build was lying on the ground, bleeding from numerous wounds; in his right hand he held the hilt of a broken sword and his left was pressed in speechless anguish to his breast, where the enemy's blade had pierced him. Five or six slaves, who had carried him hither, wer

n lowered-the fanciful decorations of one side had been overthrown and nearly half-burnt, while hammers, nails, ropes, fragments

rogramme had been spoilt. Her friend Leaina, on the contrary, swore by Hercules that Quintus had lost the finest sight in the world. His wily acquaintance Clodianus, who took every opportunity of assuming airs of frank bluntness, rail

sent, in the remotest part of the wood, and on my re

enjoying the pleasures of digestion. Well, I was just wondering to myself what this Massilian bay mare could still have in reserve, and somewhat excited with curiosity, when the curtain was lowered. A grand burst of music

ied Quintu

us, who had sinned gravely against his illustrious

en comedy? This is some

eard of since the day

and wha

and the entertainment began.-You know me, Quintus, and that I am no lover of such horrible buffoonery. I fought for many years against the Daci[184] and Germanii, and the gods know that the sight of death turns me cold. Merely to see an unarmed wretch butche

ried Quintus in g

st blow of the hammer was on the point of hitting the nail in, when a part of the side scene fell in with a tremendous crash. Four men, with their faces blackened with soot, rushed in like a thunder-storm, seized Eurymachus-who was as pale as death-by the arms, and were gone before the pack of slaves had recovered their senses. The spectators thought at first that this was part of the entertainment, till they were enlightened by the angry shouts of Stephanus and Lycoris. Then it occurred to the half-stunned executioners, that they might pursue the men. But then they perceived, that in the breach made by the fallen scenery a tall giant of a man was standing. He received the pursuers with a perfect storm of sword-strokes. Rhodius, th

Quintus glancing at Lycoris, who still was fuming

estioning him. But as the fellow refuses to give any inf

mortal, he fought like a hero. At any rate leave hi

llain will not confess, it is certainl

nt up to Stephanus, at the very instant when two slaves

incident!" said

died." And as he spoke he gave a highly-significant nod to the slaves, who had set the cauldron down

tly coolly, "that you only intended to frighten

e tension of the situation was interrupted by the return of the armed men, who had

"we return as jaded as a pack o

nes. "And what tavern did you stop at,

rtly from exhaustion, and partly from terror. "We rushed up the hi

us look

Patrician Way[186] loc

t lo

to your mistress. Woe to

one word of explanation. In spite of the start the fugitive

m to go on. "Speak fearlessly," he said kindly. "Accuse me,

ades in the narrow hedge-grown passage. At each word Stephanus grew

nded on fact?" asked Stephanus

interpret suc

ether a son of the noble Claudia gens can so far

say!" cried th

loitering in the gardens of our fair hostess, how should I guess that certain persons, who came upon me quite suddenly, were chasing a runaway s

plied Stephanus drily. "However, what is done cannot be undone. It is a

d Hun, who, with his last remaining strength, li

ou! Do you see that cauldron? I ask you once more: Who are you? Who are

sly. And now, for the first time the victim

ast remnant of strength,

oment Quintus Claudius stepped up to the slaves wh

d vehemently. "Begone indoors, you parcel of i

he name of your mistress: remain an

fully, and with these words he pushed the slaves aside and gave the cauldron

xclaimed Stephanus, involu

se you, freedman,[188] to keep your hand hidden away in the folds of your robe, or in the depths of your coffers

nd staggered. His lean fingers trembled and twitched, as if he were feeling for a dag

t trouble myself to answer ... you. Meanwhile you have only given the

uintus. "Your vict

d!" cried

igible between his teeth; then he ord

and exactly to the authorities. If Eurymachus is delivered up to me alive, I promise you a hundred thousand sesterces.-Here comes Lycoris

nd obey,

thdraw. In ten minutes I

e with you

death of the unknown victim, to take the statements of the assistants and spend an hour very comfortably in the atrium. The guests of the fair Lycoris had soon recovered from the unpleasant impression