‘If I want thee soon I can hear of thee at the same place, Cestus?’
‘As usual!’
‘I will keep you no longer. Go and feed on the best sausages you can find.’
‘Thanks, noble patron—you will find me ever ready and devoted.’
‘As I found thee this morning. Expect to hear of me very soon.’
With these words they emerged into the hall, and Cestus, drawing a long breath as he saw the way clear, went off at a pace which utterly belied his fainting state.
CHAPTER III.
From the centre of his atrium Afer watched his well-furnished client retreat down the passage or lobby which led to the street, and marked, with a sour smile, the hasty stride, or almost leap, with which he vanished out of the sunlight which filled the porch. He stood a while with lips compressed, as, with a heart aching with wrath and mortification, he pondered on what had passed, on the sum of money he was lacking, and the hateful manner of its extortion. Then he turned and bade his slaves prepare to accompany him to the bath, which was an indispensable daily luxury to a Roman, and usually indulged in previous to the dinner hour.