CHAPTER IV
APHRODITE
A negro boy, the ugliest of his kind, and probably all the more prized forthat reason, was shifting uneasily from knee to knee, in an attitude ofconstraint that showed how long and tiresome he felt his office, and howwearied he was of Valeria's own apartment. Such a child, for the urchinseemed of the tenderest age, might be initiated without impropriety intothe mysteries of a lady's toilet; and, indeed, the office it was his dutyto undertake, formed the most indispensable part of the whole performance.With a skill and steadiness beyond his years, though with a rueful face,he was propping up an enormous mirror, in which his mistress mightcontemplate the whole galaxy of her charms--a mirror formed of one broadplate of silver, burnished to the brightness and lucidity of glass, set inan oval frame of richly chased gold, wrought into fantastic patterns andstudded with emeralds, rubies, and other precious stones. Not a speck wasto be discerned on the polish of its dazzling surface; and, indeed, thetime of one maiden was devoted to the task alone of preserving it from thelightest breath that might dim its brightness, and cloud the reflection ofthe stately form that now sat before it, undergoing, at the hands of herattendants, the pleasing tortures of an elaborate toilet.
The reflection was that of a large handsome woman in the very prime andnoontide of her beauty--a woman whose every movement and gesture bespokephysical organisation of a vigorous nature and perfect health. While thestrong white neck gave grace and dignity to her carriage--while the deepbosom and somewhat massive shoulders partook more of Juno's majestic framethan Hebe's pliant youth--while the full sweep and outline of her figuredenoted maturity and completeness in every part--the long round limbs, theshapely hands and feet, might have belonged to Diana, so perfect was theirsymmetry; the warm flush that tinted them, the voluptuous ease of herattitude, the gentle languor of her whole bearing, would have done nodiscredit to the goddess, hanging over the mountain-tops in the goldensummer nights to look down upon Endymion, and bathe her sleeping favouritein floods of light and love.
Too fastidious a critic might have objected to Valeria's form that itexpressed more of physical strength than is compatible with perfectwomanly beauty, that the muscles were developed overmuch, and the wholeframe, despite its flowing outlines, partook somewhat of a man'sorganisation, and a man's redundant strength. The same fault might havebeen found in a less degree with her countenance. There was a little toomuch resolution in the small aquiline nose, something of manly audacityand energy in the large well-formed mouth, with its broad white teeth thatthe fullest and reddest of lips could not conceal--a shade of masculinesternness on the low wide brow, smooth and white, but somewhat prominent,and scarcely softened by the arch of the marked eyebrows, or the darksweep of the lashes that fringed the long laughing eyes.
And yet it was a face that a man, and still more a boy, could hardly havelooked on without misgivings that he might too soon learn to long for itsglances, its smiles, its approval, and its love. There was such a glow ofhealth on the soft transparent skin, such a freshness and vitality in thecolour of those blooming cheeks, such a sparkle in the grey eyes, thatflashed so meaningly when she smiled, that gleamed so clear and bright andcold when the features resumed their natural expression, grave, scornful,almost stern in their repose; and then such womanly softness in the massesof rich nut-brown hair that showered down neck and shoulders, to form aframework for this lovely, dangerous, and too alluring picture. Even thelittle negro, wearied as he was, peeped at intervals from the back of themirror he upheld, fawning like a dog for some sign of approval from hishaughty, careless mistress. At length she bade him keep still, with ahalf-scornful smile at his antics; and the sharp white teeth gleamed fromear to ear of the dusky little face, as it grinned with pleasure, whilethe boy settled himself once more in an attitude of patience and steadysubmission.
Nor was Valeria's apartment unworthy of the noble beauty who devoted it tothe mysterious rites of dress and decoration. Everything that luxury couldimagine for bodily ease, everything that science had as yet discovered forthe preservation or the production of feminine attractions, was there tobe found in its handsomest and costliest form. In one recess, shrouded bytransparent curtains of the softest pink, was the bath that could beheated at will to any temperature, and the marble steps of which thatshapely form was accustomed to descend twice and thrice a day. In anotherstood the ivory couch with its quilted crimson silks and ornamentalpillars of solid gold, in which Valeria slept, and dreamed such dreams ashover round the rest of those whose life is luxury, and whose business isa ceaseless career of pleasure. On a table of cedar-wood, fashioned like apalm-leaf opening out from a pedestal that terminated in a single claw ofgrotesque shape, stood her silver night-lamp, exhaling odours of perfumedoil, and near it lay the waxen tablets, on which she made her memorandums,or composed her love-letters, and from which, as from an unfinished task,the sharp-pointed steel pencil had rolled away upon the shining floor.Through the whole court--for court it might be called, with its manyentrances and recesses, its cool and shady nooks, its lofty ceiling andits tesselated pavement--choice vases, jewelled cups, burnished chalices,and exquisite little statues, were scattered in systematic irregularityand graceful profusion. Even the very water in the bath flowed through themouth of a marble Cupid; and two more winged urchins wrought in bronze,supported a stand on which was set a formidable array of perfumes,essences, cosmetics, and such material for offensive and defensivewarfare.
The walls, too, of this seductive arsenal, were delicately tinted of alight rose-colour, that should throw the most becoming shade over itsinmates, relieved at intervals by oval wreaths wrought out in bas-relief,enclosing diverse mythological subjects, in which the figure of Venus,goddess of love and laughter, predominated. Round the cornices stretched afrieze representing, also in relief, the fabulous contests of the Amazonswith every description of monster, amongst which the most conspicuous foewas the well-known gryphon, or griffin, an abnormal quadruped, with thehead and neck of a bird of prey. It was curious to trace in the femalewarriors thus delineated, something of the imperious beauty, the vigoroussymmetry, and the dauntless bearing that distinguished Valeria herself,though their energetic and spirited attitudes afforded, at the same time,a marked contrast to the pleasing languor that seemed to pervade everymovement of that luxurious lady reclining before her mirror, andsubmitting indolently to the attentions of her maid-servants.
These were five in number, and constituted the principal slaves of herhousehold; the most important among them seemed to be a tall matronlywoman, considerably older than her comrades, who filled the responsibleoffice of housekeeper in the establishment--a dignity which did not,however, exempt her from insult, and even blows, when she failed tosatisfy the caprices of a somewhat exacting mistress; the others, comelylaughing girls, with the sparkling eyes and white teeth of theircountrywomen, seemed principally occupied with the various matters thatconstituted their lady's toilet--a daily penance, in which, notwithstandingthe rigour of its discipline, and the severities that were sure to followthe most trifling act of negligence, they took an inexplicable andessentially feminine delight.
Of these it was obvious that Myrrhina was the first in place as in favour.She it was who brought her mistress the warm towels for her bath; who wasready with her slippers when she emerged; who handed every article ofclothing as it was required; whose taste was invariably consulted, andwhose decision was considered final, on such important points as theposition of a jewel, the studied negligence of a curl, or the exactadjustment of a fold.
This girl possessed, with an Italian exterior, the pliant cunning andplausible fluency of the Greek. Born a slave on one of Valeria's estatesin the country, she had been reared a mere peasant, on a simple countrydiet, and amidst healthful country occupations, till a freak of hermistress brought her to Rome. With a woman's versatility--with a woman'squickness in adapting herself to a strange phase of life and a totalchange of circumstances-
-the country girl had not been a year in her newsituation, ere she became the acutest and cleverest waiting-maid in thecapital, with what benefit to her own morals and character, it is needlessto inquire. Who so quick as Myrrhina to prepare the unguents, theperfumes, or the cosmetics that repaired the injuries of climate, andeffaced the marks of dissipation? Who so delicate a sempstress; who hadsuch taste in colours; who could convey a note or a message with half suchprecision, simplicity, and tact? In short, who was ever so ready, in anemergency, with brush, crisping-iron, needle, hand, eye, or tongue?Intrigue was her native element. To lie on her mistress's behalf, seemedas natural as on her own. He who would advance in Valeria's goodwill, mustbegin by bribing her maid; and many a Roman gallant had ere thisdiscovered that even that royal road to success was as tedious as it wascostly, and might lead eventually to discomfiture and disgrace.
As she took the pouncet-box from one of the girls, and proceeded tosprinkle gold-dust in Valeria's hair, Myrrhina's eye was caught by thegift of Placidus, lying neglected at her feet, the casket open, the jewelsscattered on the floor. Such as it was, the waiting-maid owned aconscience. It warned her that she had not as yet worked out the value ofthe costly chain thrown round her neck by the tribune. Showering the gold-dust liberally about her lady's head, Myrrhina felt her way cautiously tothe delicate theme.
"There's a new fashion coming in for headgear when the weather getscooler," said she. "It's truth I tell you, madam, for I heard it directfrom Selina, who was told by the Empress's first tirewoman, though evenCaesar himself cannot think Galeria looks well, with that yellow mop stuckall over her head. But it's to be the fashion, nevertheless, and rightsorry I am to hear it; nor am I the only one for that matter."
"Why so?" asked Valeria languidly; "is it more troublesome than thepresent?"
Myrrhina had done with the gold-dust now, and, holding the comb in hermouth, was throwing a rich brown curl across her wrist, while she laid aplat carefully beneath it. Notwithstanding the impediment between herlips, however, she was able to reply with great volubility.
"The trouble counts for nothing, madam, when a lady has got such hair asyours. It's a pleasure to run your hands through it, let alone dressingand crisping it, and plaiting it up into a crown that's fit for a queen.But this new fashion will make us all alike, whether we're as bald as oldLyce, or wear our curls down to our ankles, like Neaera. Still, to hidesuch hair as _yours_;--as my lord said, only this morning"--
"What lord? this morning!" interrupted Valeria, a dawn of interest wakingon her handsome features; "not Licinius, my noble kinsman? His approval isindeed worth having."
"Better worth than his gifts," answered Myrrhina pertly; pointing to thefiligree basket which occupied a place of honour on the toilet-table."Such a birthday present I never saw! A few late roses and a bunch or twoof figs to the richest lady in Rome! To be sure, he sent a messenger withthem, who might have come direct from Jove, and the properest man I everset eyes on."
And Myrrhina moved to one side, that her lady might not observe the blushthat rose, even to her shameless brow, as she recalled the impression madeon her by the handsome slave. Valeria liked to hear of proper men; shewoke up a little out of her languor, and flung the hair back from herface.
"Go on," said she, as Myrrhina hesitated, half eager and half loth topursue the pleasing topic.
But the waiting-maid felt the chain round her neck, and acknowledged inher heart the equivalent it demanded.
"It was the tribune, madam," said she, "who spoke about your hair--JuliusPlacidus, who values every curl you wear, more than a whole mine of gold.Ah! there's not a lord in Rome has such a taste in dress. Only to see himthis morning, with his violet mantle and his jewels sparkling in the sun,with the handsomest chariot and the four whitest horses in the town. Well!if I was a lady, and wooed by such a man as that"--
"_Man_ call you him?" interrupted her mistress, with a scornful smile."Nay, when these curled, perfumed, close-shaven things are called men,'tis time for us women to bestir ourselves, lest strength and courage dieout in Rome altogether. And you, too, Myrrhina, who know Licinius andHippias, and saw with your own eyes two hundred gladiators in the circusonly yesterday, you ought to be a better judge. Man, forsooth! Why, youwill be calling smooth-faced Paris a man next!"
Here maid and mistress burst out laughing, for thereby hung a tale ofwhich Valeria was not a little proud. This Paris, a young Egyptian, ofbeautiful but effeminate appearance, had lately come to Italy to figurewith no small success on the Roman stage. His delicate features, hissymmetrical shape, and the girlish graces of his pantomimic gestures, hadmade sad havoc in the hearts of the Roman ladies, at all times toosusceptible to histrionic charms. He lost nothing, either, of publicattention, by bearing the name of Nero's ill-fated favourite, and embarkedat once, unhesitatingly, on the same brilliant and dangerous career. Butalthough it was the fashion to be in love with Paris, Valeria alone neveryielded to the mode, but treated him with all the placid indifference shefelt for attractions that found no favour in her sight. Stung by suchneglect, the petted actor paid devoted court to the woman who despisedhim, and succeeded, after much importunity, in prevailing on her to accordhim an interview in her own house. Of this he had the bad taste to make nosmall boast in anticipation; and Myrrhina, who found out most things, lostno time in informing her mistress that her condescension was already asmuch misrepresented as it was misplaced. The two laid their plansaccordingly; and when Paris, attired in the utmost splendour, arrivedpanting to the promised interview, he found himself seized by some half-dozen hideous old negresses, who smothered him with caresses, stripped himfrom head to foot, forced him into the bath, and persisted in treating himas if he were a delicate young lady, but with a quiet violence the while,that it was useless to resist. The same swarthy tirewomen then dressed himin female garments; and despite of threats, struggles, outcries, andentreaties, placed him in Valeria's litter, and so carried him home to hisown door. The ready wit of the play-actor put upon his metamorphosis theconstruction least favourable to the character of its originator; but hevowed a summary vengeance, we may be sure, nevertheless.
"I think Paris knows what you think of him only too well," resumedMyrrhina; "not but that he has a fair face of his own, and a lovely shapefor dancing, though, to be sure, Placidus is a finer figure of a man. Oh!if you could have seen him this morning, madam, when he lay back sograceful in his chariot, and chid that pert lad of his for striking withhis whip at the tall slave, who to be sure vanished like a flash oflightning, you would have said there wasn't such another patrician in thewhole city of Rome!"
"Enough of Placidus!" interrupted her mistress impatiently; "the subjectwearies me. What of this tall slave, Myrrhina, who seems to have attractedyour attention? Did he look like one of the barbarians my kinsman Liciniuscries up so mightily? Is he handsome enough to step with my Liburnians,think you, under the day-litter?"
The waiting-maid's eyes sparkled as she thought how pleasant it would beto have him in the same household as herself; and any little restraint shemight have experienced in running over the personal advantages that hadcaptivated her fancy disappeared before this agreeable prospect.
"Handsome enough, madam!" she exclaimed, removing the comb from her mouth,dropping her lady's hair, and flourishing her hands with true Italianemphasis and rapidity,--"handsome enough! why he would make the Liburnianslook like bald-headed vultures beside a golden eagle! Barbarian, likeenough, he may be, Cimbrian, Frisian, Ansibarian, or what not, for Icaught the foreign accent tripping on his tongue, and we have few men inRome of stature equal to his. A neck like a tower of marble; arms andshoulders like the statue of Hercules yonder in the vestibule; a face, ay,twice as beautiful as Pericles on your medallion, with the golden curlsclustering round a forehead as white as milk and eyes"--
Here Myrrhina stopped, a little at a loss for a simile, and a good dealout of breath besides.
"Go on," said Valeria, who had been listening in an attitude of languidattention, her eyes
half closed, her lips parted, and the colour deepeningon her cheek. "What were his eyes like, Myrrhina?"
"Well, they were like the blue sky of Campania in the vintage; they werelike the stones round the boss of your state-mantle; they were like thesea at noonday from the long walls of Ostia. And yet they flashed intosparks of fire when he looked at poor little Automedon. I wonder the boywasn't frightened! I am sure I should have been; only nothing frightensthose impudent young charioteers."
"Was he my kinsman's slave; are you sure, Myrrhina?" said her mistress, inan accent of studied unconcern, and never moving a finger from herlistless and comfortable attitude.
"No doubt of it, madam," replied the waiting-maid; and would probably havecontinued to enlarge on the congenial subject, had she not beeninterrupted by the entrance of one of the damsels who had been summonedfrom the apartment, and returned to announce that Hippias, the retiredgladiator, was in waiting--"Would Valeria take her fencing-lesson?"
But Valeria declined at once, and sat on before her mirror, without evenraising her eyes to the tempting picture it displayed. Whatever was thesubject of her thoughts, it must have been very engrossing, she seemed soloth to be disturbed.