“Say I am engaged.”
A minute later, the Chaldæan himself arrived on the housetop and addressed the mistress.
“I cannot attend to your abracadabra,” said she, in reply to his request to be heard. “Look there. The Capitol is in flames, the temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus blazes. I know what he wants—he has come begging. They all beg. I have no money. I am interested in the fire, the Revolution, and all that sort of thing.”
“Lady Longa,” said Elymas, “There are moments that are turning points in every life. A great chance offers. Take it, or put it away forever.”
“You worry me past endurance. What is it? Look! the flames are licking Jupiter in his chariot.”
“If you will step aside I will speak. Not here.”
Duilia with an impatient toss of her head and shrug of her shoulders, gathered up her garment with one hand, stepped to a distant part of the roof, and said, sulkily—
“Well, what is this about?”
“You know that the Præfect of Rome who supped at your house the other day is besieged in the Capitol.”
“Well—this is no news.”