CHAPTER X.
"With pleasure," said the host, smoothing his cushions; "although Iplay no brilliant part in the story. Well, some time ago I wasreturning home from the baths of Abaskanthus at about the eighth hour.In the street I found a woman's litter, accompanied by four slaves,who, I believe, were captive Gepidians. And exactly opposite the doorof my house stood two veiled women, their calanticas thrown over theirheads. One wore the garment of a slave, but the other was very richlyand tastefully dressed; and the little that could be seen of her figurewas divine. Such a graceful walk, such slender ankles, such an archedinstep! As I approached they entered the litter and were gone. ButI--you know that a sculptor's blood flows in the veins of everyGreek--I dreamt all night of the slender ankles and the light step. Thenext day at noon, as I opened the door to go, as usual, to thebibliographers in the Forum, I saw the same litter hurrying away. Iconfess--though I am not usually vain--I thought that this time I hadmade a conquest; I wished it so much. And I could no longer doubt it,when, coming home again at the eighth hour, I saw my strange beauty,this time unaccompanied, slip past me and hurry to her litter. I couldnot follow the quick-footed slaves, so I entered my house, full ofhappy thoughts. The ostiarius met me and said:
"'Sir, a veiled female slave waits in the library.'
"I hurried to the room with a beating heart. It was really the slavewhom I had seen yesterday. She threw back her mantle; a handsomecoquettish Moor or Carthaginian--I know the sort--looked at me with slyeyes.
"'I claim the reward of a messenger, Kallistratos,' she said; 'I bringyou good news.'
"I took her hand and would have patted her cheek--for who desires towin the mistress must kiss the slave--but she laughed and said:
"'No, not Eros; Hermes sends me. My mistress'--I listened eagerly. 'Mymistress is--a passionate lover of art. She offers you three thousandsolidi for the bust of Ares which stands in the niche at the door ofyour house.'"
The young guests laughed loudly, Cethegus joining in their merriment.
"Well, laugh away!" continued the host, smiling; "but I assure you Idid not laugh. My dreams were dashed to pieces, and I said, greatlyvexed, 'I do not sell my busts.' The slave offered five thousand, tenthousand solidi. I turned my back upon her and opened the door. Thenthe sly puss said, 'I know that Kallistratos is indignant because heexpected an adventure, and only found a money-affair. He is a Greek,and loves beauty; he burns with curiosity to see my mistress.' Thiswas so true, that I could only smile. 'Well,' she said, 'you shall seeher, and then I will renew my last offer. Should you still refuse, atleast you will have had the advantage of satisfying your curiosity.To-morrow, at the eighth hour, the litter will come again. Then beready with your Ares.' And she slipped away. I cannot deny that mycuriosity was aroused. Quite decided not to give up my Ares, and yet tosee this beauteous art-enthusiast, I waited impatiently for theappointed hour. It came, and with it the litter. I stood watching at myopen door. The slave descended. 'Come,' she called to me, 'you shallsee her.' Trembling with excitement, I stepped forward, the curtainfell, and I saw----"
"Well?" cried Marcus, bending forward, his cup in his hand.
"What I shall never again forget! a face, friends, of unimaginedbeauty. Cypris and Artemis in one! I was dazzled. But I hurried back,lifted the Ares from its niche, gave it to the Punic slave, refused hermoney, and staggered into my house as confused as if I had seen awood-nymph."
"Well, that is wonderful," laughed Massurius; "you are else no novicein the works of Eros."
"But," asked Cethegus, "how do you know that your charmer was a Goth?"
"She had dark-red hair, and a milk-white skin, and black eyebrows."
"Oh, ye gods!" thought Cethegus. But he was silent and waited. No onepresent uttered the name. "They do not know her.--And when was this?"he asked his host.
"During the last calendars."
"Quite right," thought Cethegus. "She came at that time from Tarentumthrough Rome to Ravenna. She rested here for three days."
"And so," said Piso, laughing, "you gave your Ares for a look at abeautiful woman! A bad bargain! This time, Mercury and Venus wereallies. Poor Kallistratos!"
"Oh," said Kallistratos, "the bust was not worth so very much. It wasmodern work. Ion of Neapolis made it three years, ago. But I tell you,I would give a Phidias for such a look."
"An ideal head?" asked Cethegus indifferently, and lifted admiringlythe bronze mixing-vase which stood before him.
"No; the model was a barbarian--some Gothic earl or other--Watichis orWitichas--who can remember these hyperborean names," said Kalistratos,as he peeled a peach.
Cethegus reflectively sipped his wine from the cup of amber.