"My library," said Calavius, in a careless tone, but with a wave of his arm that showed his pride in its possession. "Three hundred and eighty-nine works--the best, and of the most excellent authors:--poets, philosophers, historians, rhetoricians--all that is worth reading. No man in Capua has a better show of literature--unless, perhaps, it be Decius Magius," and his voice sank, as if the name had brought him back to a realization of circumstances. "Here I can read without disturbance, and here we can talk without fear of interruption or listening ears. There are slaves always stationed at both ends of the portico, to insure quiet."
"And you are the man who has dared to turn Capua over to the enemies of Rome! Truly, I cannot understand."
Marcia could not restrain the words, and Calavius flushed.
"Do not condemn me for timidity," he said quickly. "These are dangerous seas for a man of mark to steer his craft upon. Carthaginians and other barbarians are not citizens of Capua--no refinement--no civilization. Much has happened to disturb me--to unsettle my nerves. Decius Magius has been parading in the Forum, defying our friends,--and who with him but my own son, Perolla, casting discredit on my plans, and danger on himself! It was with the utmost difficulty I could drag him away--and then, what does the Carthaginian do but fly into a rage, and demand an audience of the senate, with a view to punishing Decius. Nothing but my influence and that of Virrius and the Ninii have persuaded him to forego his purpose for the time; and that, only, by pleading the joy of this day, and that it should be given to nothing save festivity and feasting. Truly, my mind misgives me. Still, they have sworn that no Carthaginian shall have any power over a Campanian, and--was not that a noise in the portico?"
He rose and, gliding out to the row of pillars, looked up and down. Marcia regarded him with contempt and pity.
"And yet," she said, "it is for this terror and distrust that you have betrayed Rome. Were there none of our soldiers and citizens in the town?"
"Do not speak of it," whispered Calavius, growing even paler;--"a most frightful misfortune! They were taken in arms, or at their business--what matters it which?--and confined in the baths for safe-keeping."