"I will take you there this evening," said Clodius; "meanwhile," added he, once more rattling the dice—
"I am yours!" said the complaisant Glaucus. "Pansa turn your face!"
Lepidus and Sallust played at odd and even, and the umbra looked on, while Glaucus and Clodius became gradually absorbed in the chances of the dice.
"Per Jove!" cried Glaucus, "this is the second time I have thrown the caniculæ" (the lowest throw.)
"Now Venus befriend me!" said Clodius, rattling the box for several moments, "O Alma Venus—it is Venus herself!" as he threw the highest cast named from that goddess,—whom he who wins money indeed usually propitiates!
"Venus is ungrateful to me," said Glaucus, gayly; "I have always sacrificed on her altar."
"He who plays with Clodius," whispered Lepidus, "will soon, like Plautus's Curculio, put his pallium for the stakes."
"Poor Glaucus—he is as blind as Fortune herself," replied Sallust, in the same tone.
"I will play no more," said Glaucus. "I have lost thirty sestertia."
"I am sorry," began Clodius.