im the slave suffered it to drop, and it
broke in pieces.

A shiver went round the assembly, and each voice cried spontaneously on
the gods to avert the omen.

Glaucus alone, though perhaps as superstitious as the rest, affected to
be unmoved.

'Sweet Neapolitan,' whispered he tenderly to Ione, who had turned pale
as the broken marble itself, 'I accept the omen. It signifies that in
obtaining thee, Fortune can give no more--she breaks her image when she
blesses me with thine.'

In order to divert the impression which this incident had occasioned in
an assembly which, considering the civilization of the guests, would
seem miraculously superstitious, if at the present day in a country
party we did not often see a lady grow hypochondriacal on leaving a room
last of thirteen, Sallust now crowning his cup with flowers, gave the
health of their host. This was followed by a similar compliment to the
emperor; and then, with a parting cup to Mercury to send them pleasant
slumbers, they concluded the entertainment by a last libation, and broke
up the party. Carriages and litters were little used in Pompeii, partly
owing to the extreme narrowness of the streets, partly to the convenient
smallness of the city. Most of the guests replacing their sandals,
which they had put off in the banquet-room, and induing their cloaks,
left the house on foot attended by their slaves.

Meanwhile, having seen Ione depart, Glaucus turning to the staircase
which led down to the rooms of Julia, was conducted by a slave to an
apartment in which he found the merchant's daughter already seated.

'Glaucus!' said she, looking down, 'I see that you really love Ione--she
is indeed beautiful.'

'Julia is charming enough to be generous,' replied the Greek. 'Yes, I
love Ione; amidst all the youth who court you, may you have one
worshipper as sincere.'

'I pray the gods to grant it! See, Glaucus, these pearls are the
present I destine to your bride: may Juno give her health to wear them!'

So saying, she placed a case in his hand, containing a row of pearls of
some size and price. It was so much the custom for persons about to be
married to receive these gifts, that Glaucus could have little scruple
in accepting the necklace, though the gallant and proud Athenian inly
resolved to requite the gift by one of thrice its value. Julia then
stopping short his thanks, poured forth some wine into a small bowl.

'You have drunk many toasts with my fathe