Gulo, a German, an old slave, who had nursed Vinicius, and was inherited by him from his mother, the sister of Petronius, said,—
“I will tell him; but do ye all come. Do not let his anger fall on my head alone.”
Vinicius was growing thoroughly impatient. Petronius and Chrysothemis were laughing; but he walked with quick step up and down the atrium.
“They ought to be here! They ought to be here!”
He wished to go out to meet the litter, but Petronius and Chrysothemis detained him.
Steps were heard suddenly in the entrance; the slaves rushed into the atrium in a crowd, and, halting quickly at the wall, raised their hands, and began to repeat with groaning,—“Aaaa!—aa!”
Vinicius sprang toward them.
“Where is Lygia?” cried he, with a terrible and changed voice.
“Aaaa!”
Then Gulo pushed forward with his bloody face, and exclaimed, in haste and pitifully,—