Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-04
CHAPTER XIII.
THE BANQUET.

Macenius proposed banquet in honor OF
the return to Rome of Maximin. Inef-
fectual attempts had made for the de-
lection of those who had perpetrated that
murderous deed, and the Emperor had
breathed his suspicion of the honorable
Thracian. The banquet, then, in honor
of Maximin, had for its object only the
murder of him to whom it was given.
The time arrived, and the guests were
all in attendance. Maximin and Volunti-
ma, accompanied by Ormerous, and HON.
edus, Plantanius, and even Aurilius Vic
tor.
"Will not my friends" exclaimed
Macenius, as Maximin ledinto the spacious
atfiune. his beautiful bride: s'for now, by
Joge, we look Oh lovelincss not often seen
Rome. LA, friends, mine to the noble
MaXimin's bride - and each guest filled
his calix to the brim, and drank to Volun-
tina, who, unaccustomed to so brilliant
scene, became suffused with bushes. t,o
The Emperor now came forward. and
welcomed MaXimin and Voluntina, giving
each a hand. ."'s E.-.l .
g am glad, right happy to welcome
thee again to Rome, good Maximin, said
Carracalla.
Maximin looked sternly into the
Emperor's eye, for he felt the treacherv
of his words. 1t was but the second
night before, that, with his own ears, he
had heard Carracalla tell Galba that he
would have Macnius to take care of
Maxmin. He therefore needed his greet
ing title. 80" ...t =.
| 80 My lord, this is my wife, Voluntiuu,r
said he, leading her before the Emperor.
''i welcome thee to the imperial city,
lady," and she was then presented to
Julia, by the Emperor. 30 " eryia.
The atriune was brilliantly lighted,
and the guests were numerous. At lengh,
when near the hour to enter the trichine-
um or dining hall, old Homedus plucked
MaXimin by the robe, and drew him to a
corner of the atriune, between two corin-
THAN pillars, where the eyes of the COM
pany might not readily detect them, and
where too, their conversation might not be
overheard. ah .~'.i
What would you, Homedus inquired
MaXimin. .a
4 would warn thee. Be on thy guard
this night, Maximin,' said the old man.
g Thy star, thy star"
Why, I do know am to sup among
my enemies, but naught will they here
dare to attempt" c.Ir.s = F..
Take watch. | have seen full three
pair of deadly eyes, casting their angry
glances at thee, and their dark visages
frown on thee whenever thy back is turned
to them; but they do smile on thee to thy
face"
&" I know them well, and have an eye
! for each" '.-'Ii f
81 Dost know all this company 2" asked
| the old man. .t...l.'. -,...f ..s..
Looking about, Maximin discovered
several visages never before seen by him.
6 1onder three, must confess, never
yet have known" 81 ...e9 Tai
They too, | would have thee closely
watch, nor let them near to thee approach.
They wear daggers and such weaponsin
the grasp of such hardened looking men,
are direful things ...r -gr
:" wear dagger for every enemy,
llomedus: but will heed thy words, and
thank thee. But, would have thee still
obscryant Of what passeS;" and Maximin
again mingled in the throng. ....
The hour for banqueting arrived, and
the guests were invited from the atriune
into the trichine,im. The eway led out ofthe
atriune through large open area, in the
centre OF which was erected an inplurFi-
um, of great width and depth, on one
side of which a fountain PLAYED, whose
waters poured into the reSounding reser-
voir. Surrounding this, high pillars rose,
of many colors, and standing in triple
rows around. From this area opened
the trichineum.
Here, surrounding low, richly laden
table, resting about span from the floor.
were the guests disposed, reclining on
damask cushions of the sofest and most
luxurious character. Indeed, in all
things, Macenius since he had been raised
to the command of the army, aimed, in
all his entertainments, at nothing short
of imperial display. And we'll could he
afford to do SO, drained as the treasury
was for himself and the soldiery.a ..l u.I
The night wore away in luxury, and
the deep red wines of Gaul were poured
out in profnsion. Few there were of that
assembled company who had not too deep
ly imbibed, while many We're far sunk
in intoxication. There were those, how
ever, whose interests lay in temperance
These were the rivals. .,rer, 3. .o,.....i-a
But while all was gaiety and Ihilarity,
the attentive eye of Homedus, detected
Carracalla and Macenius in deep cen
clave. 1t was for no good he aagured,
and he augured well. lie heard Cara
calla speak;