But Fabia needed to see no more.

It was the face of Publius Gabinius.

By a mighty effort she prevented herself from breaking into a run.

She passed into the doorway of the Atrium Vestae, and sank upon a divan, shivering with fright.
Recollecting herself, she went to Fonteia and told her the discovery.
The Maxima, however, by that singular fatuity which sometimes takes possession of the wisest of people,--especially when the possible danger is one which never in all their long experience has come to a head,--received her warnings with blank incredulity.
"You should not go out of the house and Temple," she said, "until there is some proper policing of the city.

No doubt Gabinius has come back for the sake of riot and plunder, and having met with you by chance could not resist the temptation to try to have an interview; but you are in no possible danger here." "But, Fonteia," urged the younger Vestal, "I know him to be a bold, desperate man, who fears not the gods, and who from the law can expect no mercy.