Volume I Part 29 (1/2)

”Yes; if one is asked, then of course he must answer! The mistress has told you that Calpurnius is such a bad neighbour?”

”Yes; what about that?”

”But she did not tell you since when?”

”No; dost thou know?”

”Well, it was about half a year ago. About that time Calpurnius once met the mistress in the wood, alone as they both thought; but they were not alone. Some one lay in a ditch, and was taking his mid-day nap.”

”Thou wert that sluggard!”

”Rightly guessed. And Calpurnius said something to the mistress.”

”What did he say?”

”That I did not understand. But the mistress was not idle; she lifted her hand and struck him in the face with such a smack, that it resounded. And since then our neighbour is a bad neighbour, and I wanted to tell you, because I thought the mistress would not wish to vex you about the rascal; but still it is better that you know it. And see! there stands Calpurnius at his house door; do you see? and now farewell, dear master.”

And with this he turned his horse and galloped home. But the blood rushed to Witichis' face.

He rode up to his neighbour's door. Calpurnius was about to retreat into the house, but Witichis called to him in such a voice, that he was obliged to remain.

”What do you want with me, neighbour Witichis?” he asked, looking up at him askance.

Witichis drew rein, and stopped his horse close to him. Then he held his clenched iron-gloved fist close before his neighbour's eyes.

”Neighbour Calpurnius,” he said quietly, ”if _I_ ever strike thee in the face, thou wilt never rise again.”

Calpurnius started back in a fright.

But Witichis gave his horse the spur, and rode proudly and slowly upon his way.

CHAPTER VI.

In his study at Rome, comfortably stretched upon the soft cus.h.i.+ons of a lectus, lay Cethegus the Prefect.

He was of good cheer.

His examination had ended with full acquittal. Only in case of an immediate search in his house--such as the young King had ordered, but which his death had frustrated--could discovery have been apprehended.

He had succeeded in gaining permission to complete the fortifications of Rome, supplying the funds out of his own exchequer, which circ.u.mstance still more increased his influence in that city.

The evening before he had held a meeting in the Catacombs. All the reports were favourable; the patriots were increasing in number and means.

The greater oppression which since the late occurrences at Ravenna weighed upon the Italians, could but serve to add to the ranks of the malcontents; and, which was the main thing, Cethegus now held all the threads of the conspiracy in his own hands. Even the most jealous Republicans implicitly acknowledged the necessity of committing the conduct of affairs, until the day of deliverance, to the most gifted of men.

The feeling against the barbarians had made such progress amongst all Italians, that Cethegus could entertain the project of striking a blow without the help of the Byzantines, as soon as ever Rome was sufficiently fortified.

”For,” he repeatedly told himself, ”all foreign liberators are easily summoned, but with difficulty discarded.”

Musing thus, Cethegus reposed upon his lectus. He laid aside Caesar's ”Civil Wars,” the leaves of which he had been turning over, and said to himself:

”The G.o.ds must have great things in store for me; whenever I fall, it is like a cat--upon my feet and unhurt. Ah! when things go well with us, we like to share our content with others. But it is too dangerous a pleasure to put trust in another, and Silence is the only faithful G.o.ddess. And yet one is human, and would like----”