"It is all the same," again quoth Paulus.
"And how do these toilets prosper against Dionysius the Athenian?"
"They tell me he is not aware of the admiration he excites—is totally indifferent to it."
"Base, miserable youth!" cried Paulus, laughing. "These Roman dames and damsels ought to punish him."
"You mean by letting him alone?" asked the landlady.
"No; that would kill him," returned Paulus with a sneer, "being what he is."
"Then how punish him?" asked she.
"By pursuing him with their blandishments," answered Paulus; "that is, if they can muster sufficient ferocity. But I fear the women are too kind here in Italy. I am told that even in the midst of the most furious passions, and while the deadliest agonies are felt by others around them, their natural sweetness is so invincible that they smile and send soft glances to and fro; they look more bewitching at misery (such is their goodness) than when they see no suffering at all. Yes, indeed! and as the gladiators fight, they have a lovely smile for each gash; and when the gladiator dies, their eyes glisten enchantingly. We have not these entertainments in Greece, and the Greek Dion must soon feel the superiority of the Roman to the Greek woman. Pity is a beautiful quality in a woman; and the Greek ladies do not seek the same frequent opportunities of exercising it as the Italian ladies possess, and, eheu! enjoy."
"Is Paulus bitter?" asked Aglais. "Is Paulus witty?"
"Talking of wit, my lady," pursued the hostess, "none but our dear old Plautus could have matched this young Athenian, as Antistius Labio, the great author of five hundred volumes, has found to his cost."