hard to see your property and goods
destroyed and to hold fast to allies who do not protect you--and a
Roman garrison at Casilinum all the time. They say this African is
kind to his friends, and then, too, he sent home my son without ransom
when the young man was prisoner in the north--some battle by some lake
that I forget the name of--"

"Such talk is well enough for the poor-spirited rabble," cried Marcia,
impetuously; "but was there none of noble blood in the city? None who
could compel duty?"

A look of cunning crossed his face as he answered:--

"Pacuvius Calavius took care of that. He cooped up the senate in the
senate-house, by telling them the people sought their lives. Then he
went out and spoke against them to that same people, and offered to
surrender them for death, one by one; and then, when they had given up
hope, he made a clever turn and persuaded us to forego their just
punishment. So it is said in Capua that Pacuvius Calavius bought the
senators for his slaves, and not one but runs to do his bidding.
Senators, you see, do not like the rods and axe any better than humbler
people like the sword and the torch."

Marcia eyed him with disgust. Then her brow cleared. "What could be
expected from such a man," she thought. "Surely not exalted patriotism
or high ideals--especially when the class question had been brought
into play against public faith and public honour. Mere stupidity would
yoke him to the side that seemed to promise the most immediate
exemptions or rewards. It was possible, though, that the situation
might not be as bad as it was painted; that there might still be
faithful men in the second city of Italy--men who, while at present
held down by the skilful plotting of their enemies or the hopelessness
of open resistance, were yet waiting, vigilant to seize upon the first
promising opportunity to recover the lost ground. On the other hand,
innkeepers were apt to be a well-informed class, as to public
happenings, and this man told his tale with parrot-like precision. At
any rate, there was nothing to do but reach Capua as soon as possible;
for, the Carthaginian commander once within the walls, no one could
tell what precautions and scrutiny might be established at the gates."

She turned to the freedman.

"There is no time for resting and refreshment, Ligurius. We must not
lose the chance of entering the city before nightfall;" and to the man
who rode at the wheel: "Come, Cai