life: his chest swelled proudly; his eyes glowed: on his
forehead was writ the majesty of a man who can dare to be noble! He
turned to meet the eyes of Ione--earnest, wistful, fearful--he kissed
her fondly, strained her warmly to his breast, and in a moment more he
had left the house.

Long did Ione remain in the same place, mute and thoughtful. The
maidens again and again came to warn her of the deepening noon, and her
engagement to Diomed's banquet. At length she woke from her reverie,
and prepared, not with the pride of beauty, but listless and melancholy,
for the festival: one thought alone reconciled her to the promised
visit--she should meet Glaucus--she could confide to him her alarm and
uneasiness for her brother.

Chapter III

A FASHIONABLE PARTY AND A DINNER A LA MODE IN POMPEII.

MEANWHILE Sallust and Glaucus were slowly strolling towards the house of
Diomed. Despite the habits of his life, Sallust was not devoid of many
estimable qualities. He would have been an active friend, a useful
citizen--in short, an excellent man, if he had not taken it into his
head to be a philosopher. Brought up in the schools in which Roman
plagiarism worshipped the echo of Grecian wisdom, he had imbued himself
with those doctrines by which the later Epicureans corrupted the simple
maxims of their great master. He gave himself altogether up to
pleasure, and imagined there was no sage like a boon companion. Still,
however, he had a considerable degree of learning, wit, and good nature;
and the hearty frankness of his very vices seemed like virtue itself
beside the utter corruption of Clodius and the prostrate effeminacy of
Lepidus; and therefore Glaucus liked him the best of his companions; and
he, in turn, appreciating the nobler qualities of the Athenian, loved
him almost as much as a cold muraena, or a bowl of the best Falernian.

'This is a vulgar old fellow, this Diomed,' said Sallust: 'but he has
some good qualities--in his cellar!'

'And some charming ones--in his daughter.'

'True, Glaucus: but you are not much moved by them, methinks. I fancy
Clodius is desirous to be your successor.'

'He is welcome. At the banquet of Julia's beauty, no guest, be sure, is
considered a musca.'

'You are severe: but she has, indeed, something of the Corinthian about
her--they will be well matched, after all! What good-natured fellows we
are to associate with that gambling good-for-nought.'

'Pleasure unites stran