Among that high order of drinkers who can imbibe to the point of perfect enjoyment, and stop short scientifically before the point of perfect oblivion, Vetranio occupied an exalted rank.

The wine he had swallowed during the night had disordered his memory and slightly troubled his self-possession, but had not deprived him of his understanding.

There was nothing plebeian even in his debauchery; there was an art and a refinement in his very excesses.
'Aricia--Aricia!' he repeated to himself, 'ah! the villa that Julia lent to me at Ravenna! The pleasures of the table must have obscured for a moment the image of my beautiful pupil of other days, which now revives before me again as Love resumes the dominion that Bacchus usurped! My excellent Carrio,' he continued, speaking to the freedman, 'you have done perfectly right in awakening me; delay not a moment more in ordering my bath to be prepared, or my man-monster Ulpius, the king of conspirators and high priest of all that is mysterious, will wait for me in vain! And you, Glyco,' he pursued, when Carrio had departed, addressing the singing-boy, 'array yourself for a journey, and wait with my equipage at the garden-gate.

I shall require you to accompany me in my expedition to Aricia.

But first, oh! gifted and valued songster, let me reward you for the harmonious symphony that has just awakened me.