The strong wind had driven the trireme before it so swiftly that it was difficult for even the sea gulls to follow.

It was easy for the listeners to believe this; for the storm outside howled louder and louder, whistling through the open hall where the servants had gathered.

Most of the lamps and torches had been blown out, the pitch-pans only sent forth still blacker clouds of smoke, lit by red and yellow flames, and the closed lanterns alone continued to diffuse a flickering light.

So the wide space, dim with smoke, was illumined only by a dull, varying glimmer.
One of the porters had furnished wine to shorten the hours of waiting; but it could only be drunk in secret, so there were no goblets.

The jars wandered from mouth to mouth, and every sip was welcome, for the wind blew keenly, and besides, the smoke irritated their throats.
The freedman, Beryllus, was often interrupted by paroxysms of coughing, especially from the women, while relating the evil omens which were told to his master in Pelusium.