The din grew louder and louder.

At the same time, as if directly connected with the babel, the strange light flamed up more brightly--as if from many advancing torches.
Cornelia shook the sleep from her eyes, and flung back the coverlets.
What was it?
She had not yet reached the stage of feeling any terror.
Suddenly, drowning all lesser noise, came the blows of a heavy timber beating on the main door of the villa.
Crash! and with the stroke, a torrent of wild shouts, oaths, and imprecations burst forth from many score throats.
Crash! The slaves sleeping near the front door began to howl and shout.

The great Molossian hound that stood watch was barking and snapping.

The Gallic maid sprang from her pallet by Cornelia's door, and gave a shrill, piercing scream.

Artemisia was sitting up on her bed, rubbing her eyes, blinking at the strange light, and about to begin to cry.