The thunder which startled him from sleep seemed to make the solitude of his chamber almost painfully complete, as if the nearness of those angry clouds shut him up in a close place alone in the world.

Then he thought of the sort of protection which that day's ceremonies assured.

To procure an agreement with the gods--Pacem deorum exposcere: that was the meaning of what they had all day been busy upon.

In a faith, sincere but half-suspicious, he would fain have those Powers at least not against him.

His own nearer household gods were all around his bed.