He was quivering yet; but, after a moment of more violent convulsion, he stretched and was motionless.
They took him then, and, returning, stopped before the gate a second time.

But they must declare to their lord what had happened.
"Let Gulo declare it," whispered some voices; "blood is flowing from his face as from ours; and the master loves him; it is safer for Gulo than for others." Gulo, a German, an old slave, who had nursed Vinicius, and was inherited by him from his mother, the sister of Petronius, said,-- "I will tell him; but do ye all come.

Do not let his anger fall on my head alone." Vinicius was growing thoroughly impatient.

Petronius and Chrysothemis were laughing; but he walked with quick step up and down the atrium.
"They ought to be here! They ought to be here!" He wished to go out to meet the litter, but Petronius and Chrysothemis detained him.
Steps were heard suddenly in the entrance; the slaves rushed into the atrium in a crowd, and, halting quickly at the wall, raised their hands, and began to repeat with groaning,--"Aaaa!--aa!" Vinicius sprang toward them.
"Where is Lygia ?" cried he, with a terrible and changed voice.
"Aaaa!" Then Gulo pushed forward with his bloody face, and exclaimed, in haste and pitifully,-- "See our blood, lord! We fought! See our blood! See our blood!" But he had not finished when Vinicius seized a bronze lamp, and with one blow shattered the skull of the slave; then, seizing his own head with both hands, he drove his fingers into his hair, repeating hoarsely,--"Me miserum! me miserum!" His face became blue, his eyes turned in his head, foam came out on his lips.
"Whips!" roared he at last, with an unearthly voice.
"Lord! Aaaa! Take pity!" groaned the slaves.
Petronius stood up with an expression of disgust on his face.

"Come, Chrysothemis!" said he.