Avernus is here; there, in the square before the Forum, I could stand, and, with my hand raised thus, touch the floor of the gods.

Ha, by Venus, my Flavius, thou didst beguile me! I have lost.

O Fortune!" "Again ?" "I must have back my sestertium." "Be it so." And they played again and again; and when day, stealing through the skylights, began to dim the lamps, it found the two in the same places at the same table, still at the game.

Like most of the company, they were military attaches of the consul, awaiting his arrival and amusing themselves meantime.
During this conversation a party entered the room, and, unnoticed at first, proceeded to the central table.

The signs were that they had come from a revel just dismissed.