surrendered to the enemy should not be
exchanged. Malchus was much disappointed, as it had seemed that the time
of his release was near; however, he had still his former plan of escape
to fall back upon.

A day or two later Julia sent a slave with a message to Sempronius, and
in the afternoon sallied out with a confidential attendant, who always
accompanied her when she went abroad. In the Forum she met Sempronius,
who saluted her.

"Sempronius," she said coming at once to the purpose, "will you do me a
favour?"

"I would do anything to oblige you, Lady Julia, as you know."

"That is the language of courtesy," Julia said shortly; "I mean would
you be ready to run some risk?"

"Certainly," Sempronius answered readily.

"You will do it the more readily, perhaps," Julia said, "inasmuch as
it will gratify your revenge. You have reason to hate Malchus, the
Carthaginian slave."

Sempronius nodded.

"Your suspicion was true, he loves the Gaulish slave; they have been
questioned and have confessed it. I want them separated."

"But how?" Sempronius asked, rejoicing inwardly at finding that Julia's
wishes agreed so nearly with his own.

"I want her carried off," Julia said shortly. "When once you have got
her you can do with her as you will; make her your slave, kill her,
do as you like with her, that is nothing to me--all I want is that she
shall go. I suppose you have some place where you could take her?"

"Yes," Sempronius said, "I have a small estate among the Alban Hills
where she would be safe enough from searchers; but how to get her there?
She never goes out except with Lady Flavia."

"She must be taken from the house," Julia said shortly; "pretty slaves
have been carried off before now, and no suspicion need light upon you.
You might find some place in the city to hide her for a few days, and
then boldly carry her through the gates in a litter. None will think of
questioning you."

"The wrath of Lady Flavia would be terrible," Sempronius said
doubtfully.

"My mother would be furious at first," Julia said coldly; "but get her a
new plaything, a monkey or a Nubian slave boy, and she will soon forget
all about the matter."

"But how do you propose it should be done?" Sempronius asked.

"My slave shall withdraw all the bolts of the back entrance to the
house," Julia said; "do you be there at two in the morning, when all
will be sound asleep; bring with you a couple of barefooted slaves. My
woman will be