Fabiola : or, The church of the catacombs - Digital Repository Services

was only a few times longer than itself; and ho c
tl;it down, anil shut his cars and ryes v, ill
Ids breath, till lie felt the waters gurgling above him, and ho
was whirled down into the abyss.
"I wonder," Torquatus said to himself, "did any on
perish in this way? or is it a mere allej" >, of what?
pel-will lie drawn on gradually in this inannci- to spiritual
destruction? are my present thoughts, by any chance, an outer
circle, which has caught me, and
"Fundi!" exclaimed the muleteer, pointing to a town before
them; and presently the mule was sliding along the broad
flags of its pavement.
Torquatus looked over his letters, anil drew one out for the
town. He was taken to a little inn of the poorest class by his
guide, who was paid handsomely, and retired grumbling
swearing and
at the niggardliness of the traveller. He then inquired
the way to the house of Cassiamis, the schoolmaster,
found it, and delivered his letter. He received as kind
come as if he had arrived at home; joined his host in a frugal
meal, during which he learned the master's history.
A native of Fundi, he had started the school in Rome, with
which we became acquainted at an early period of our history,
and had proved eminently successful. But finding a persecution
imminent, and his Christianity discovered, he had disposed
of his school, and retired to his small native town, where
he was promised, after the vacation, the children of the principal
inhabitants. In a fellow-Christian he saw nothing but a
brother; and as such he talked freely with him of his past adventures
and his future prospects. A strange idea dashed
through the mind of Torquatus, that some day that information
might be turned into money.
It was still early when Torquatus took hia leave, and,
pretending to have some business in the town, he would
not allow his host to accompany him. He bought himself
some more respectable apparel, went to the best inn, and order-
ed a couple of horses, with a postilion to accompany him ; for,
to fulfil Fabiola's commission, it was necessary to ride forward
quick, change his horses at each relay, and travel through the
night. He did so, till he reached Bovillse, on the skirts of the
Albau hills. Here he rested, changed his travelling suit, and
rode on gaily between the lines of tombs, which brought him
to the gates of that city, within whose walls there was more of
good and more of evil contained, than in any province of the
empire.
CHAPTEB XIX.
THE FAL1/.
ToHQTTATns, now elegantly attired, proceeded at once to the
house of Fabius, delivered, hia letter, answered all inquiries,
and accepted, without much pressing, an invitation to supper
that evening. He then went to seek a respectable lodging,
and easily found one.
suited to the present state of his purse ;
Fabius, we have said, did not accompany his daughter into
the country, and rarely visited her there. The fact was, that
he had no love for green fields or running brooks ; t.is tastes
were for the gossip aad free society of Koine. During the
year, his daughter's presence was a restraint upon his K
but when she was gone, with her establishment, into Can. ;
his house presented scenes and entertained persons, that he
i not have presumed to bri i:,r i;i oontad with her.
of profligate life SUIT' :d deep drink i
late hours, with gambling ami loose conversation, generally
followed his sumptuous eutert
Having invited Torquatus to sup with him, he went forth in
search of guests to meet him. He soon picked up a batch of
'.auts, who were loitering about his known han-
i ess for invitations. But as he was
ths of Titus, he saw two men in a sin: .und a
temple earnestly coriv 'thcr. After u moment's look,
be advan
burnt I down
must hi ;rit of
lion would rise against tluni and dcstr
ryexhibilii.
"To be sure, as my
any wit in them, wmiid hide their
ners, when they are so coin
the most Immune princes. .IJut as they do not
oe l,y
but will build temples in public instead of skulking >
lanes, as they used to do, 1 for <
gain some notoriety, and profit, too, by !
people down, and deslro. u
" Well, be it so ; but to come to the purpose. It is understood
between us, that when we discover who
among the rich, and not too powerful at first,
1
fair division. We will aid one another. 1 id und
rough means ; I will keep my counsel as to nn'm-. lin
shall reap all the profit from those whom he di
rig: it proportion from those who are shared between us. Is it
not so ?"
"Exactly."
Fabius now stepped forward, with a hearty " How nre
Fulvius ? I have not seen you for an age ; cor
me to-day, I have friends engaged; and your friend, too,
Corviuus, I believe" (the gentleman alliii
"will a* you,
couth bow), .
I ho;
"Thank you," replied Fulvius; "but I fear I have an en-
gagement already."
"Xoi Mil," said the good-natured Uni.dit :
nobody left in the city with whom yon could : ;
self. But has my house the plague, that yon
turod into it, since you dined there v
relied with hhv; ? Or did you get struck b\
charm which has driven you away ?"
Fulvius turned pale, and drew away Fabius to one side,
while he said : "To
tell the truth, BO
"I hope," answered Faoius, snme-.dia!
black witch has been playing no tricks w>ih you ; I .
ily she were out of my house. But, com. .
good humor, "I really thought you were struck b,
charm that evening. I have my eyes open
heart was fixed on my little cousin A
Fulvius stared at him, with so
pause, replied : "And
if it was so, I saw i
made up her mind, that no good slu.
"Say you so ? Then that exp
come; to me again. But Fabiohi
stands nothing of such mr.tters. I \.
give up her books, and think of settling h.
of preventing others. I'.u:
' much at:
that ;
"Is it possible? lio\v can you e ;
'
! I
i
; I s;nv how
!.nowit?"
"Why, then, to tell told you
not fought so .shy 01
very day."
"To you?"
"Yes, tome; those jewels of yours quite
think;'';
lay
i am
w.vj her
i UK; as much. .
sure you.''
ins understood ;
ed :
v\hil,
fortune and r.
Mie ;
when
Jou.
In-
ad I