Darkness was in her eyes, and a roaring in her ears from internal emotion; the beating of her heart stopped her breath.

As in a dream, she saw thousands of lamps gleaming on the tables and on the walls; as in a dream, she heard the shout with which the guests greeted Caesar; as through a mist, she saw Caesar himself.

The shout deafened her, the glitter dazzled, the odors intoxicated; and, losing the remnant of her consciousness, she was barely able to recognize Acte, who seated her at the table and took a place at her side.
But after a while a low and known voice was heard at the other side,--"A greeting, most beautiful of maidens on earth and of stars in heaven.

A greeting to thee, divine Callina!" Lygia, having recovered somewhat, looked up; at her side was Vinicius.
He was without a toga, for convenience and custom had enjoined to cast aside the toga at feasts.

His body was covered with only a sleeveless scarlet tunic embroidered in silver palms.