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Updated: June 20, 2025
Gaily and attractively he moved in all grades of the society of his age, winning his social laurels in every rank, without making a rival to dispute their possession, or an enemy to detract from their value. On quitting the Court waiting-room, Vetranio and Julia descended the palace stairs and passed into the emperor's garden.
This was the man who had intercepted Vetranio on his journey home, and who had now hurried back so as to regain his accustomed post before his master's return, for he was the same individual mentioned by Numerian as his aged convert, Ulpius, in his interview with the landholder at the Basilica of St. Peter.
'I have learned many odes of many poets, said she, quickly and confusedly avoiding the mention of Vetranio, which a direct answer to Hermanric's question must have produced, 'but I remember none perfectly, save those whose theme is of spirits and of other worlds, and of the invisible beauty that we think of but cannot see.
Incapable, from the confusion of his ideas, of any other feeling than the animal instinct of self-defence, Vetranio no sooner beheld Numerian's figure than he rose, and drawing a small dagger from his bosom, attempted to advance on the intruder.
At length, when there was a lull of all sounds when a temporary calm prevailed over the noises outside when the wine-cups were emptied, and left for a moment ere they were filled again Vetranio feebly rose, and, announcing with a mocking smile that he was about to speak a funeral oration over his friends and himself, pointed to the wall immediately behind him as to an object fitted to awaken the astonishment or the hilarity of his moody guests.
'You are too penetrating, resumed Vetranio, after a short pause, 'not to have already suspected that I only require your villa to assist me in the concealment of an intrigue. So peculiar is my adventure in its different circumstances, that to make use of my palace as the scene of its development would be to risk a discovery which might produce the immediate subversion of all my designs.
By the souls of the Apostles, Vetranio, I begin to think that you do not believe in the Goths! 'I have already told you that private affairs occupy me at present, to the exclusion of public, said Vetranio impatiently. 'Debate as you choose approve what projects you will I withdraw myself from interference in your deliberations!
'What is the present aspect of the city? interrupted Vetranio impatiently. 'Rome is as gloomy as a subterranean sepulchre, replied Carrio, with a shudder.
No doubts upon the validity of his engagement with Vetranio ever entered his mind. He never imagined that powerful senator could with perfect impunity deny him the impracticable assistance he had demanded as his reward, and thrust him as an ignorant madman from his palace gates.
'Sing! cried Vetranio furiously, observing the shudders that ran over the boy's frame and held him speechless. 'Strike the lyre, as Timotheus struck it before Alexander! Drown in melody the barking of the curs who wait for our offal in the street!
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