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There each had her writing desk, and the cabinets in which she kept her important papers, letters and such possessions. After they had exchanged greetings Lutorius motioned towards Brinnaria's little sanctum. Brinnaria bridled. "I've nothing to say that we cannot say out here," she advertised, "and I do not want to hear anything that cannot be said out here." Lutorius was tactful and had his way.
"Lutorius has had the sacred fire carried out of the Temple in a copper pan by Gargilia and Manlia," he said, "and Terentia and Numisia, with little Campia, were helping Causidiena along the Holy Street. Causidiena had an earthenware casket in her arms. I saw them turn the corner to their right into Pearl-Dealers Lane. They are safe in the Palace by now." "Safe in the Palace?" Brinnaria echoed.
"What I wish you to tell me is this: Has your lover's behavior effaced your regard for him, as you asserted to Lutorius, or were you self-deceived? Is everything at an end between you and will you ignore his existence in future and remain a Vestal for life or have your feelings overcome your displeasure and are you again thinking of him and of your future as you did in the past?"
"I suggest," said Lutorius, "the day after to-morrow, the eighteenth day before the Kalends of September, the twenty-third anniversary of Brinnaria's entrance into the order of Vestals, and, I regret to say, the second anniversary of her night expedition to Aricia." "That suits me," said Commodus. "And the hour?" Numisia queried. "Noon," said the Emperor.
His son, also named Faltonius Bambilio, had taken up a political rather than a priestly life and was not to be thought of as his successor. In his place Aurelius, on his way to Syria, had nominated Lutorius Rusco, a man who impressed everyone at first sight, and more and more the better anyone knew him, as the paragon of a Pontifex.
"Your Majesty," he said, "I doubt whether that will confute Brinnaria's enemies or even convince the majority of the Pontiffs." "What does it signify?" the Emperor demanded, "whether anybody else is convinced, if I am satisfied?" "Nothing whatever, your Majesty," said Lutorius, "if you take that view of the matter." "Perhaps," Commodus admitted, "there may be something in your suggestion.
Before a strong wind it had spread both ways, had caught everything in the north slope of the Capitol between it and Trajan's Forum: the silver-smiths' shops were all ablaze; to the south it had crept between the slope of the Capitol and the theatre of Marcellus and was sweeping over the booths of the Vegetable Market. "It is the biggest fire in our time," said Lutorius.
"What makes it so light?" she asked Almo. "Why are the tops of their heads all bright that way?" Lutorius, who was near them, explained: "There is a big fire somewhere the other side of the Capitol. I noticed it at the top of the street. The Capitol stood out black, the outline of both temples plain as in the daylight, against the red smoke behind it."
"Where will it stop?" queried Numisia. Both sent their lictors to make further report. Before the dinner was half over they returned, with messengers from the Atrium. The conflagration was roaring up the Vicus Jugarius and Gargilia was alarmed. Lutorius and Numisia hastily excused themselves, called for their shoes and went off; he in his litter and she in her carriage.
"Some of the points we others will settle without you, but we shall begin with those which you must settle or share in settling. "I and Lutorius, Causidiena and Numisia are to be the witnesses to the stipulations and our agreement on any point is to prove that point.
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