Fulvius was staggered; then rallying, said, “What right have you to make such an odious charge against me?”
“You discovered” (with a strong emphasis) “a conspiracy in the East, and Dioclesian—”
Fulvius stopped him, and asked, “What is your name, and who are you?”
“I am Corvinus, the son of Tertullus, prefect of the city.”
This seemed to account for all; and Fulvius said, in subdued tones, “No more here; I see friends coming. Meet me disguised at daybreak to-morrow in the Patrician Street,[50] under the portico of the Baths of Novatus. We will talk more at leisure.”
Corvinus returned home, not ill-satisfied with his first attempt at diplomacy; he procured a garment shabbier than his own from one of his father’s slaves, and was at the appointed spot by the first dawn of day. He had to wait a long time, and had almost lost patience, when he saw his new friend approach.
Fulvius was well wrapped up in a large overcoat, and wore its hood over his face. He thus saluted Corvinus:
“Good morning, comrade; I fear I have kept you waiting in the cold morning air, especially as you are thinly clad.”
“I own,” replied Corvinus, “that I should have been tired, had I not been immensely amused and yet puzzled, by what I have been observing.”
“What is that?”