Part 19 (2/2)
She took no notice of his speech but stood for ato herself, then bit the string through and, clutching the little package in her fist, took a gilded tool from beside the snol and pierced the seal of the aolden cup and poured the ith difficulty, since the jar was heavy, but Pertinax, atched intently, made no move hair-pins
”Marcia!” roared Co now”
She went into the bedroo the door not quite closed behind her
Pertinax began to stare at Galen critically Galen blinked at him
Commodus' voice came very distinctly from the inner room: ”Taste first, Marcia! Olympus! I can't see you in the dark Come close Are your lips wet? Let me feel them!”
”I drank a whole mouthful, Commodus How hot your hand is! Feel-feel the cup-you can feel with your finger how much I have tasted I broke the seal of a fresh jar of Falernian”
”Soht have tampered with it!”
”No, no, Commodus That jar has been in the cellar since before you were born and the seal was intact I washed the cup ain Sit here on the bed where I can feel your heart- beats”
Presently he gave a gasp and belched, as always after he had sed a whole cupful at one draught
”Now close the shutters and bolt theht be so on the balcony”
”In this storuards on duty”
”Close theuard the tunnel? I will rid Rome of all Christians tomorrow! Aye, and of many another reptile! They have robbed me of my fun in the arena-I will find another way to interestme a fresh lamp in here, and set the tablets by the bed”
She ca She did not tremble Her wrist was red where Co at Galen
”Only a very little time,” he answered ”How much did you drink?”
She put her hand to her stomach, as if pain had stabbed her
”Drink pure wine,” said Galen ”Swiftly Drink a lot of it”
She went to the amphora Before she could reach it there came a roar like a furious beast's from the bedroom
”I am poisoned! Marcia! Marcia! My belly burns! I aroans and a great creaking of the bed
Marcia-she was trean to pace the floor
”You, Galen, you had better go in to hio, I roans in the bedrooain-terrific i