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Numisia indicated the sieve on the forward arm of the second cross-piece of the fourth pole from the bow. Lutorius, at the Emperor's bidding, called the directions to Truttidius, who, bowed and bent with age until he looked almost like a clothed ape, wizened so that his leathery, wrinkled face was like a dried apple, was standing near the middle of the boat.
"Numisia," he explained, "saw you go out in Flexinna's clothes and recognized you. She entered your room and talked with Flexinna. She summoned me and we conferred. We both loved you and we both believed in you. We were solicitous for the cult, but we were nearly as much solicitous for you.
He was received by Lutorius, Causidiena. and Numisia, who had been in close conference most of the previous afternoon and until late at night and again most of the morning from dawn. Causidiena, on account of her failing sight, was escorted by Manlia and Gargilia. After the exchange of ceremonious greetings Commodus asked: "Where is Brinnaria? Why isn't she here?"
When her arm was tired she gave him a kick, threw the scourge on him and groped for Numisia. Numisia had sat up. "My child," she said, "why did you do it?" "I don't know," snarled Brinnaria. "I was furious. I did it before I thought. Are you hurt?" "No," said Numisia. "Don't tell anyone you pushed me. I'll never tell. I don't blame you, dear." She fainted again.
Gargilia was older than Manlia; a tall, slender creature with intensely black hair and piercing black eyes that looked straight at you out of a face healthfully tinted indeed, but of a whiteness which was the envy of half the beauties in Rome. Numisia Maximilla was much like an older Manlia, but sparer and of markedly haughty bearing and carriage.
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.
We agreed that we were almost fully warranted in assuming your entire innocence of heart and that your impulsive behavior would not alienate the good will of the Goddess. We decided to take it upon ourselves to judge you blameless and to shield you. Utta was instructed never to let you know that Numisia had seen Flexinna; Flexinna, of course, fell in with our plans.
Accordingly it was settled that Brinnaria was to face her ordeal at midday on August fifteenth of the nine hundred and thirty-seventh year after the founding of Rome, 184 of our era. That night Numisia, conferring with Brinnaria, concluded by saying: "Truttidius enjoined me to remind you to be very careful not to touch the web of the sieve with your fingers.
"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.
Thanks to these attentions Brinnaria, after some four hours abed, was able to reappear in the Temple looking not much unlike a Vestal who had enjoyed twenty-four hours of unbroken repose. Numisia appeared to suspect nothing. Certainly she remonstrated with her and begged her not to exhaust herself so by hard riding.
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