"Oh! you suspect me, Feargus. But it needs not. The barbarian hath some shrewdness, and some honesty. Sempronia too, suspected us, and would have won my secret from me, had I indeed a secret, by sweet words and sweeter kisses."
"And thou"—
"Gave kiss for kiss, with interest; and soft word for soft word. I have sighed as if I were any Roman—but no secret, Feargus; Phadraig, no secret. Do you doubt me?"
"Not I, boy," answered the warrior. "Your father was my cousin, and I think you are not a bastard."
"I think not either. But see, here come these noble Romans!"
"It is their envoy with the letters for their leader. We shall be dismissed now, from this haunt of thieves and harlots!"
"And laughed at, when dismissed, for fools and barbarians!"
"One never knows who is the fool, till the game is lost."
"Nor who is laughed at 'till it is won!"
"Here is our Titus, my good friends," said Lentulus, coming forward, leading along with him a slightly-made but well-formed and active-looking man, with a downcast yet roving eye, and a sneering lip, as if he were one who believing nothing, deserved not to be believed in anything himself. "He hath the letters, and credentials secured on his person. On his introduction, our Catiline shall know you as true friends, and as such receive and reward you!"