grave discussion.

'O Fulvia! I assure you that the last account from Rome declares that
the frizzling mode of dressing the hair is growing antiquated; they only
now wear it built up in a tower, like Julia's, or arranged as a
helmet--the Galerian fashion, like mine, you see: it has a fine effect,
I think. I assure you, Vespius (Vespius was the name of the Herculaneum
hero) admires it greatly.'

'And nobody wears the hair like yon Neapolitan, in the Greek way.'

'What, parted in front, with the knot behind? Oh, no; how ridiculous it
is! it reminds one of the statue of Diana! Yet this Ione is handsome,
eh?'

'So the men say; but then she is rich: she is to marry the Athenian--I
wish her joy. He will not be long faithful, I suspect; those foreigners
are very faithless.'

'Oh, Julia!' said Fulvia, as the merchant's daughter joined them; 'have
you seen the tiger yet?'

'No!'

'Why, all the ladies have been to see him. He is so handsome!'

'I hope we shall find some criminal or other for him and the lion,'
replied Julia. 'Your husband (turning to Pansa's wife) is not so active
as he should be in this matter.'

'Why, really, the laws are too mild,' replied the dame of the helmet.
'There are so few offences to which the punishment of the arena can be
awarded; and then, too, the gladiators are growing effeminate! The
stoutest bestiarii declare they are willing enough to fight a boar or a
bull; but as for a lion or a tiger, they think the game too much in
earnest.'

'They are worthy of a mitre,' replied Julia, in disdain.

'Oh! have you seen the new house of Fulvius, the dear poet?' said
Pansa's wife.

'No: is it handsome?'

'Very!--such good taste. But they say, my dear, that he has such
improper pictures! He won't show them to the women: how ill-bred!'

'Those poets are always odd,' said the widow. 'But he is an interesting
man; what pretty verses he writes! We improve very much in poetry: it
is impossible to read the old stuff now.'

'I declare I am of your opinion, returned the lady of the helmet.
'There is so much more force and energy in the modern school.'

The warrior sauntered up to the ladies.

'It reconciles me to peace,' said he, 'when I see such faces.'

'Oh! you heroes are ever flatterers,' returned Fulvia, hastening to
appropriate the compliment specially to herself.

'By this chain, which I received from the emperor's own hand,' replied
the warrior, playing with a short chain