lly, and forgot his discourse on
the duty of guests to their hosts' daughters. Unheeding him, the others
talked quietly, in low tones. But he, bound to hold the centre of the
stage, remembered suddenly what he wished to say, and began again.

"My boy, thou couldst have her for the taking!"

Marius, his speech with his father interrupted, eyed him with a sort of
grim patience, waiting until he chose to cease.

"A fit morsel for thy lips," the garrulous one repeated. "I speak of
what mine eyes have seen. What if the mind be wanting, so long as the
face is fair? Many a man hath found too much mind a sorry investment in
a wife. And she's fair enough! By Venus, yes! Eyes like clouded stars,
midnight tresses, a bosom whiter than milk--"

Marius laughed scornfully.

"Maybe so! But so have a thousand others, with sense thrown in. Why so
keen to set me after her? Let the poor fool be. I tell you I'll have no
damaged goods. If I marry at all, by the veil of Isis, the price I must
needs pay will be high enough to warrant me in asking the best in
return."

Nicanor, hearing the murmur of voices, raised his head slowly and looked
over the edge of the bunk. He saw Valerius in his corner, sound asleep,
and wondered what he wanted there. The old man sat with his back to
him, but the face of the soldier was in plain sight. At him Nicanor
stared, stolidly, without interest, and let himself drop back into the
blankets. But the remedy of Nicodemus was beginning to have effect. By
degrees his head became clearer; objects in the room no longer jumped
startlingly when he set his glance upon them; his thoughts became more
connected. There had been a scene in a garden--her garden. Marcus had
come; had discovered him with her. His heart stood still. What had
happened then? Had he killed the old man? He recalled the truth with a
gasp of relief which yet was mingled with apprehension. But afterwards?
There came to him, slowly, a memory, vague and confused, of a weary
wandering through endless night, torn by temptation and desire, raging
with defiance of the consequences of his rashness, consumed by fever
that ran through his veins like fire and dried the very heart within
him. What had become of Varia? Of Marcus? How much had been found out?
Sudden blind fury at his impotence in the face of supreme and arrogant
power possessed him. The brazen collar about his throat burned like a
band of fire. He raised his hands to it, and let them drop. Wha