No light within, no sound but that of the wind and their own breathing without.
"We are not too late," whispered Agias.
The two groped their way in among the pillars of the portico of the _Regia,_[161] and crouched down under cover of the masonry, half sheltered from the chilly blasts.

They could from their post command a tolerably good view of one side of the Atrium Vestae.

Still the darkness was very great, and they dared not divide their force by one of them standing watch on the other side.

The moments passed.

It was extremely cold.