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Updated: May 20, 2025
The irregularities of the management of the provinces ruled in the name of Caesar by prefects and procurators had notoriously extended to the provinces ruled by proconsuls and propraetors in the name of the senate. I had always disliked, despised and even hated Bambilio for his pomposity, self-esteem and bad manners. I rejoiced at the opportunity to look on at his capture.
"He was," I replied curtly, "but he has left it." "I certainly am disappointed," he said, seating himself by me, uninvited. "I particularly wanted to speak to Capito at once." "You might find him at his house," I suggested. But Bambilio was impervious to suggestions. "I wanted to talk to him and you together," he said, "but that can be managed some other time."
Brinnaria gave her a push; Numisia slipped, fell her length on the floor, struck her head and either fainted or was stunned. Bambilio, his eyes tight shut, the instant after Numisia's head cracked the floor, heard snap the string supporting the curtain. He shut his eyes tighter.
To be sure, it was prescribed that one other Vestal was to be in the room, on the same side of the curtain as the victim, to say when the scourging had continued long enough and the negligent Vestal had been sufficiently punished. But this comforted Bambilio very little. He wished the ordeal over. At midnight he stood in the dark, close to the curtain.
"No, my daughter," said Bambilio, "no more." "You have quite done beating me?" she demanded. "Quite done," he replied. Then, unexpectedly to herself, Brinnaria's wrath boiled over. "Then," she fairly yelled at him, "I'm going to begin beating you. Shut your eyes. I'm going to pull down the curtain!" Numisia made a horrified grab at Brinnaria and missed her.
I always knew it; I know it now and I am afraid I'll continue my blundering through the conventions. I'm built that way." She had to endure a second long lecture from Faltonius Bambilio. She listened submissively enough, but vouchsafed not one word of self-defence, rejoinder or comment; and, when urged to speak, she was obstinately silent.
I may say, however, that just as street-boys acclaim you by shouting: "'That's the girl that saved the dog; just as all over the Empire you are talked of as the lady who rescued the retiarius; so at any festival or ceremonial in which the Vestals take part, many a dignitary is likely to nudge his neighbor, indicate you and whisper: "'That's the priestess who walloped Bambilio! You are not infamous, you are famous.
He felt the scourge wrenched from his limp fingers, felt the back of his neck grasped by a muscular young hand, felt the impact of the twenty-four sheep-hoofs on his back. Through his clothing they stung and smarted. There came another blow and another. Bambilio tried to get away, but he dreaded unseemly contact with a naked Vestal and did not succeed in his efforts.
He was not lacking in ecclesiastical unction, but did not wallow in it as had Bambilio. He was pious, but did not think it necessary to advertise it day and night unremittingly. He was not lax in religious matters, but he was no stickler for minute trifles. He inspired confidence by every characteristic of his appearance and behavior.
He greeted her effusively, with a comical mixture of hobbledehoy clumsiness and imperial dignity. "I'm glad you demanded an audience," he said, as she sat down; "we should have had a good talk long ago. You lambasted old Bambilio. That is one for you. A juicier story I never heard. You are made of pepper. And you saved the retiarius, the year after I was born.
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