The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

he , " said Lais , an ugly sneer crossing her lip , " wc can , by our poor person and our power will raise him to a proud station in Rome , suppose I refuse , Avhat then ?" " By Pallas , I know not , neither do I care . "

" A proper councillor for such a straight , " replied Lais , " My woman ' s craft must bear the brunt of the shock . Well , I am a Greek , ancl can foil this Jeivish Roman yet . And he ivould link himself with Cains Fabius no less , become uncle to the ivealthiest and noblest youth in Rome . I love him almost for his daring . But there is a

dangerous shoal in the mouth of the harbour of refuge , that may shipwreck us at the moment of conquest . " " I perceive it not . " " No , yon cannot- see beyond the point of your

claim . Think you that the Emperor Trajan , he so prudent and sagacious , will permit his foremost captain to many one , a complete stranger to Rome and Romans . That Trajan is no common man , lover of the wine cup though he be ; never sat

•emperor on the throne , not even Augustus , who has Avon public love so completely . I tell you , Murtius , Balbus has given us a tangled skein to iveave . "

" If we suffer , he must suffer too , but why this fear of Trajan ? Cannot Caius marry as he pleases ?" " True -. but he will assuredly inform Trajan , and Trajan ivill set on foot inquiries relative to us .

Should our connection ivith the disciples of Bacchus become known , the lions ivill be the least Ave can expect . " " I ever told you , Lais , that the same fate would pursue us here , that did us in Athens , if we again

took part in these rites . You would have us do so , and what have we reaped ? An acquaintanceship ivith the vilest of the Roman nobles , and placed our necks under the heel of Balbus . Had you been content to live quietly , vro might have

married both girls ivell , and held a distinguished place in Rome . Whicli course ivas the better ?" " The die is cast , Murtius , " said Lais , clraiving in her breath , " and the first thing to be done is , to withdraw from the society . A hundred excuses

can be given . Hear my plan . Balbus must be put off' with various schemes . I shall not refuse him , you perceive , but promise to marry him , Avhen Cains has pledged himself to Phryne . Once that is done , let us have them privately married , and then make an appointment ivith Balbus in the

Suburra . We will not keep it , he will , and a Praetorian guard and the Colloseum ivill rid us of that bugbear . " " But this is treachery , we have sivorn to preserve the secret , how can we give up so many

people to the lions ?" " It must be clone . To save myself , I would sacrifice all my kin . Tush , you are getting puling in your old days , no longer are you the sprightly Murtius of Athens , the leader of all frantic

capers . " " Be silent , Lais , " said Murtius , casting a timid look around the apartment , the Avails have had ears before noiv , let us beware , the past is full of crime . "

" Crime ! What crime ? Because ive have full rein to our passions , and lived as nature prompted ? Go to , abstinence , honour and such fine fangled notions of the schools are crimes , not those actions which spring from full blood , and light hearts .

Sober men you philosophers are and have ahvays been . Plato never drunk of the wine cup , Diogenes the Cynic , the stern supporter of virtue never loved . "

Murtius made no reply , but leaning his head upon his hand , gave way to a fit of anguished thought . Lais lor a moment glanced at him with with the utmost contempt , and then left the room , and betook herself to Phryne's apartment . The

girl was lying upon a couch , robed in a snoiv Avhite stola , and having her hair bound by a purple vitta shot ivith gold . An expression of deep melancholy pervaded her countenance , and the heaving ot her bosom told of a troubled spirit there . She looked up as Lais entered , but gave no further notice to her . Lais took a stool and sat

doAvn beside her . •" Phryne , I Avish to have a serious talk Avith you . Balbus has made me an offer of marriage . Phryne looked at her for a moment , and then said : " How does that affect me , I suppose you

ivill accept it ?" " Do not let us have a scene of recrimination , Phryne , the past is past , let it be buried . We cannot recall it , the present alone is ours , the future we may enjoy . "

" What Avant you Avith me ; to keep silence regarding the dark deeds of this house ? you may rely on that . I am not likely to blazon my OAVU shame . " "There is no concealment required . Balbus knoAvs us as Avell as we knoAV ourselves . It