hat mattered it if to
gain a point--a great point--he wrenched loose his personal obligations
a few days sooner? Yes, Marcia should go to the banquet, and, if
Hannibal desired her, then he, Pacuvius Calavius, would surrender her
into his arms. He knit his brows and spoke:--

"What you ask, my daughter, is truly difficult to compass, nor do I
know that any women or of what class will be present. Trust, however,
that all my power shall be at your service to gain any wish of your
heart,--and, as you know, I am not powerless,--only remember that it is
your will that I am doing. I will send a servant who shall lead you to
your chamber. Rest, prepare, and expect my return before the third
hour. Farewell."

Marcia did not detain him. She noticed the wealth of odours that his
fluttering gown had left behind, and her contempt and disgust deepened.

IV.

THE HOUSE OF THE NINII CELERES.

The rustle of garments aroused Marcia from a sleep wherein had been
more of bitter revery than of rest; and, glancing up, she saw, at the
entrance of her apartment, two girls, evidently slaves. They had
knelt, with arms crossed upon their breasts and downcast eyes.

"Will my mistress be pleased to place herself in the hands of her
servants, that she may receive refreshment and whatsoever she desires?"

The girl's voice was soft and musical. Marcia rose, and, with a slight
inclination of the head, indicated her acquiescence; then she followed
her new guides through new halls and rooms, around and through the
colonnade, to a part of the house beyond the garden. Here were the
apartments of the bath, and, under the skilful hands of her attendants,
she felt the fatigue and blights of the journey passing from her. No
such artists of luxury were known at Rome as were these slave women of
Capua; new refinements were revealed at every step--refinements that
seemed to culminate when the hair-dresser began her work. First came
the anointing with the richest odours deftly combined from a dozen
vials of ivory or fine glass; then the crimping and curling with hot
irons, the touch of which served also, as the attendant explained, to
consume whatever coarseness clung to the perfumes and to bring out
their finest and most delicate effects. Meanwhile the Roman simplicity
of Marcia's wardrobe and jewel-case had been thoroughly explored, not
without some scornful side glances on the part of the Capuan women, and
she who was in charge of the