Ligarius was returning from the Campus Martius.

He strolled through one of the streets which led to the Forum, settling his gown, and calculating the odds on the gladiators who were to fence at the approaching Saturnalia.

While thus occupied, he overtook Flaminius, who, with a heavy step and a melancholy face, was sauntering in the same direction.

The light-hearted young man plucked him by the sleeve.
"Good-day, Flaminius.

Are you to be of Catiline's party this evening ?" "Not I." "Why so?
Your little Tarentine girl will break her heart." "No matter.