The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-03-01

~ suppose" resumed the stranger, " that
you belong to this house, my little friendf 1
am a stranger, and merely lodging"
eve are lodging, too, and strangers" an
swered Agatha.
From your accent" continued the other,
al judge you to be Greek"
"Mother is" replied Agatha "but brother
calls himself Roman knight, and even
noble"
81 knew it!' cried the lady "you have it
written in your countenance. !, too, am a
noble lady my name is Plancina. Have you
ever Romeo"
| "Neyer"
| "Ah how you will be enchanted. You must
come to see me. l have house in Rome !;
such a pretty house, full of such curious
things All! when you see Rome, you will
hold your breath with wonder and delight.
will make you SO happy when you come to see
me in my pretty house."
"You very kind, good lady, should
think" quoth Agatha, looking up from her
flowers, and gazing long at the pallid face and
the large black eyes; and if we go to Rome, I
and my mother will visit you, perhaps"
"My house is among the willows and beeohes
of the Viminal Hill" said the lady. "Remem-
Der two things Timinaz Hill, with its beeches
the Piso family have lived for generations.
My husband, Piso, has had great losses at dice.
1 am rich enough to spend q fortune every
year for half century, and we have still at
our house all the pleasures that can be thought
of. What pains 1 will take to amuse you !!
You cannot conceive the splendors, dresses,
games, sports, shows and beauties of Rome
the theatres, the circus, the combats, the great
wild beasts of all sorts, from all countries, the
dances"
AS she pronounced the word "dances," a
youthful male voice was heard at a little dis
| lance, saying, "While they change horses
here we will stretch our limbs by o stroll in
tie garden behind the inn. Make haste,
worthy innkeeper order your servants to be
brisk"
And almost at the same moment brilliantly
beautiful, dark, eastern-looking girl, in
Syrian costume, appeared at the entrance of
| the bower. Beside her came sauntering the
youth whose voice had been heard. He was of
about Pauluss age, had an olive complexion,
was sumptuously dressed, and exhibited q
strong family likeness in face to the girl. Last
followed a woman in middle life, appareled in
costly robes, suited to travel, naughty, languid
and scornful in mein.
the new corners. The brilliant damsel re-
NAMED at the entrance of the bower examining
its occupants with hardy, unabashed glance;
whereupon Plancina, after a moments pause,
occasioned by the interruption, resumed and
concluded her sentence thus,
"No, you can form no idea of the gayeties
of Rome; the games, the shows, tho theatres,
the glories, the pleasures, the ests the Dances"
Il,,k
eign lands-from the east, indeed" interrupted
the damsel, nodding her head repeatedly and
sneeriDgly; you must admit that"
"Net all our good alone" answered Plancina
sternly, noticing that the woman in middle life
smiled approvingly at the girl who lad OBJ
| truded this remark {" not all our good alone,
but all. The Office of the outside world is to
try and amuse Rome"
"And what is Rome's Office :" asked the dam
sell.
=" To be amused by them, if she cam" an
swered the Roman.
Come away, Herodias," said the naughty
languid and scornful looking woman ; and the
two strolled down the middle walk of the
| garden. The youth who had come with them
fingered moment or two behind, standing in
the middle of the gravel walk and gazing
straight into the bower, while he flirted a sort
Of horse-whip around the heads of ono or two
tall flowers which were growing outside along
the border of the walk.
Planciua looked steadily at him, and he a
her. The lad withdrew after few moments
without change of feature.
:" What starcrs :" muttered Agatha.
They have a talent for it, indeed" sal,
Plancina. "A hardy family, putting one thin:
with another. l think know who they are
The mother, if she were tho mother, called th
daughter, if she were the daughter IIerodas
My husband thinks of going to Syria, and in
deed Tiberius has offered him the procurator
ship of Judea but he would not condescen,
5 to 60 in any smaller capacity than as prefec
, of Syria. An acquaintance of ours, youn
Pomtus Plate, wants to get the procuratorshil
3 The minor Office would be great thing fol
: him. But my husband, Piso of the Calpur
mans, cannot stoop to that. may meet yonde
family again"
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