The streets near the palace were empty; here and there only some man moved forward with a lantern, but farther on the place was uncommonly crowded.

From almost every alley people were pushing out in threes and fours, all without lamps, all in dark mantles.

Some walked on with the procession, mingling with the slaves; others in greater numbers came from the opposite direction.

Some staggered as if drunk.

At moments the advance grew so difficult that the lampadarii cried,--"Give way to the noble tribune, Marcus Vinicius!" Lygia saw those dark crowds through the curtains which were pushed aside, and trembled with emotion.