_CHAPTER V._
Before the hour of taking the bath, we exercised ourselves for some timein the tennis-court, where I could not but admire, especially after havingheard Capito philosophise, the vigour and agility displayed by him as wellas his companions. I was then conducted into the baths, where, after beingwashed and perfumed in the most luxurious manner, I was arrayed in anelegant supper-garment by one of the slaves of our host. At table we werejoined again by the ladies, who both reclined on the same couch with theiruncle. Three comely youths attended us, in short tunics, and girt withnapkins of fine linen; but, during the repast, an ancient female slavestood in silence behind the couch of the young ladies. A small fountain ofalabaster played between two tall candelabra of the same material, at thefarther end of the apartment; and a young damsel stood beside them,swinging slowly from time to time a silver censer, from which clouds ofdelicate odour rolled up to the mirrored roof.
In all things the feast was splendid; but there was no appearance ofuseless or vain ostentation. Every thing was conducted in a style of greatcalmness and order, without the least formality. The repast interruptednot the conversation, which went on in a manner to me equally instructiveas entertaining; although I must confess the presence of Athanasiasometimes rendered me inattentive to what was spoken. I could not divestmyself of the idea, that some unknown circumstance was pressing on themind of the fair creature, and that when she smiled upon those whoaddressed her, it was sometimes to conceal her ignorance of that which hadbeen said.
Being asked by Capito, I endeavoured, among other things, to inform himand his friends, as far as I could, concerning the then condition of thisisland, which, more particularly after the exploits of Agricola, had cometo be a subject of some interest. In return, the chief topics which thenoccupied the capital were discussed by them, as I perceived, in a greatmeasure on my account; and I listened with delight to the praises, whichthey all agreed on bestowing on the new Emperor. Many anecdotes werenarrated, which tended to strengthen the feelings of admiration, withwhich I had already been accustomed to contemplate his character. Butothers were told, as the conversation went on, which I could not so easilyreconcile with the idea I had formed of him.
For example, I was somewhat disturbed with what they told me concerninghis treatment of the Christians, who, as we understood in Britain, hadbeen suffered to live in tranquillity ever since Nerva acceded to theempire. But now, from the circumstances related, it appeared that the mildand humane Trajan had taken up, in regard to this sect, the whole aversionof Domitian; every day some cruel catastrophe was made known of someperson who had adopted their tenets. Being ignorant of the nature of thosetenets, and having heard only in general terms that they were of Jewishorigin, dark, and mystical, I was at a loss to account for the extremehatred of the Prince, or rather for his condescending to give himself somuch trouble concerning a matter so obscure and seemingly trifling.
Capito, however, assured me, that although I might have good occasion towonder at the steps taken by the Emperor, it would no longer be said byany one, that the progress of the Christian sect deserved to be consideredas a matter either of obscurity, or of no consequence. "On the contrary,"said he, "from what you have just heard of the numbers and quality ofthose that have lately suffered various punishments, you cannot hesitateto admit that the head of the empire has been justified in considering itas a subject worthy his attention."
"We have adopted the gods of many nations," said Pontius Mamurra, "nor doI see why, because the Jews have been unfortunate in a contest with Rome,we should take it for granted that theirs are unworthy of respect. If,however, as we have heard asserted, he who embraces this creed becomes aninfidel in regard to the deities of Rome, I say Caesar does well inrefusing toleration to the intolerant superstition. Domitian was a tyrant,and a monster of humanity; the late prince was wise and good; and yet itmay be, that, in regard to these Christians, the principle of Domitian'sconduct was right in the main, and that of Nerva's wrong. But you, Capito,regard both sides of the question, I have no doubt, with the sameindifference."
"I hope," replied Capito, "I shall never regard with indifference anyquestion, in which the interest of the empire and the honour of Trajan areconcerned. But if you mean only that I am indifferent about the nature ofthis Syrian superstition, you are in the right. I have no knowledge of itsdogmas, nor desire to have. I presume they have their share of that oldeastern barbarity, in the shady places of which the elder Greeks used tothink they could discover the outlines of something really grand andmajestic."
"It may be so," said Mamurra; "but if the superstition be found dangerousto the state, the Prince does well in repressing its progress. That is theonly question of which I spake."--"There is, indeed, no other," saidCapito; "I thought of none."--"And how do you answer it, dear uncle?" saidAthanasia, (lifting herself up, for the first time, to take part in theconversation.)--"Nay, my love," said the old man, "to answer that is thebusiness of Caesar, and of the Senate. I only regret, that blood should beshed, and citizens exiled; above all, in the reign of a just and mercifulPrince.--Sempronia," continued he, "what is that strange story your fatherwas telling about one of the daughters of Serennius?"
"They only allege," replied Sempronia, with a smile, "that Tertulla had aflirtation with a handsome young Greek, and the Greek happened to be aChristian,--and she was converted by the Greek,--and she was found out ingoing with him to some secret assembly of these people, in a vault by theVatican Hill,--and her father has been glad to send her to Corsica, partlyto escape the lawyers, and partly, I suppose, in hopes that the quietnessof the island, and the absence of handsome young Christians, may perhaps,in time, restore poor Tertulla to her right mind--This is all. Do you thinkthat a strange story, uncle?" "Not, if it be exactly as you have told it,Sempronia. What says Athanasia?" Athanasia answered gravely, that she wassorry for Tertulla, and had never heard any thing of the young Greekbefore.
By this time, the increasing darkness of the chamber had warned me that weought to be thinking of our return. I had more than once looked towardsSextus, but he refused to meet my eye. When I was on the point ofspeaking, Sempronia, starting from her couch, exclaimed, that she was surethere was thunder in the skies; and presently flash after flash gleamedalong the horizon. All sat silent, as if awe-struck; but Sempronia was theonly one that seemed to be in terror from the tempest. Nevertheless, myeyes rested more on Athanasia, who looked paler than she had done,although her countenance preserved its serenity. "How awful," said I, "isthe voice of Jupiter!" Athanasia folded her arms upon her bosom, andlifting her eyes to heaven, said in a whisper,--"How awful is the voice ofGod!" She then dropt her hand on the end of her couch, and halfunconsciously taking hold of it in mine, I asked her if she was afraid."No," said she, "I am not afraid, but the heaviness of the air makes mefaint, and I never can listen to thunder without feeling somethingextraordinary within me."
Capito said, he could not think of our going into the city that evening,and that we must all make up our minds to remain in the villa. Thecountenance of Sextus brightened up, and he looked to me as if to ask myassent. I was easily persuaded, and our host despatched a messenger toinform Licinius of the cause of our absence. The old man then led us intoanother apartment, which was richly furnished with books and paintings.Here he read for some time out of one of the poets, to a party, none ofwhom, I am afraid, were very attentive in listening to him, till, the hourof rest being come, we were conducted to our several apartments, Sextusand myself, indeed, being lodged in the same chamber.
We were no sooner left alone than I began to rally my friend on the beautyof his mistress, and the earnest court he had been paying her. The youthlistened with blushes of delight to her praises, but seemed not to havethe least idea that he had been so fortunate as to make any impression onher mind. On the contrary, he scarcely appeared to be aware of having doneany thing to attract attention from her, and expressed astonishment when Iassured him, that his behaviour had been
such as could not possibly admitof more than one explanation in the eyes of a person so quick andvivacious as the lovely Sempronia.
After we had both retired to our beds, and the lights were extinguished,we still continued for some time to talk over the incidents of our visit,and the future prospects of Sextus and his love; until at length sleepoverpowered us in easy bonds, and agreeable dreams followed, I doubt not,in the hearts of us both, the thoughts and sights of a delightful day.Mine surely were delightful, for they were all of Athanasia. Yet, even inthe visions of the night, I could never gaze on her face without somestrange impression of mystery. I saw her placid smile--I heard the sweetlow cadence of her voice--but I felt, and I could not feel it without acertain indescribable anxiety, that her deep thoughts were far away.
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