The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-03-15
NUMBER 5.

Aglais admitted the wisdom of tho sugges-
ton. letter, simple, elegant, and affecting
| composition, was written by her, and intrusted
to Crispna for transmission. However, as it
| was the unanimous opinion of all concerned
that the family ought not to be detected in any
communications with Lepidus, or even sus-
pected of any, it was necessary for Crispus to
observe great caution in forwarding the docu-
ment. Several days, therefore, passed away
before c. opportunity was presented of send
ing person who would neither DO observed
in going, nor missed when gone, and who
| could at the same time be implicitly trusted |;
mono but old Philip could be found.
Crispus had been on tho point of employing
Claudius for the purpose, when Crispina reso-
lutely stopped him. ~ have high opinion
| of that youth" said she, " or would not con-
sent that Benigua should marry him but at
present he is slave, and slave, of the very
persen against whom we are guarding. More
over, Claudius is young and very timid (; he
has his way to make, and all his hopes are do
pendent on his TYR mean the prince. do
not wish even Benigna to know any thing
| about the present business, The moro honest
any young people are, the more they betraY
themselves, if crossquestioned about matters
which they know, but have been told to con-
ceal. If they know nothing, why, they can
blame them for not telling.
"A silent tongue, husband, like mine, and
q simple heart like yours make safe necks.
There, go about your business"
During the delay and suspense which neces-
sarily followed, Paulus fished, and took long
walks through that beautiful country, many
aspects of which, already described by us, as
they then were, have for ever disappeared. He
used to take with him something to eat In
the middle of the day, but always returned
toward evening in time to join the last light
repast of his mother and sister. Each even
ing saw them reassembled. Four tall, exqui-
sitely tapering poles, springing from firm
pedestals, supported four little scallop-shaped
lamps at the four corners of their table. The
supper was often enriched by Paulus with
some delicious fresh water fish of his own
catching. Benigna waited upon them, and,
being invariably engaged by Agatha in lively
conversation, amused and interested the circle
by her mingled simplicity, good feeling, and
cleverness.9 After supper, Agatha would insist
that Benigns should stay with them awhile.
and they either all strolled through the garden,
whence perfumes strong as incense rose in the
dewy air, or they sat converting in the bower
which overlooked 1t. Then after q while Girls
pima would ascend the garden-stairs to theiE
landing and while she inquired how they all
were, and told them any news she might have
gathered, Benigna would steal silently down
to say good night, as Agatha declared, to some
shadowy figure who was dimly discerniblo
standing not far away among the myrtles, and
apparently contemplating the starry heavens.
Such was their quitl life, such the tenor ofthose
heeting days.
One evering-the sweet evening of mag
nifcent autumn day-Paulus was returning
across the country, with a rod and line, from q
distant excursion upon the banks of the Liris
The spot which he had chosen that day for
fishing was a deep, clear, silent pool, formed
by bend of the river. clump of shadowy
chesnuts and hornbeam grew nigh, and the
water was pierced by the deep reflections of
row of stately poplars, which mounted guard
upon its margin. There seated, his back sup
ported against one of the trees, watching the
float his line as it quivered upon the surface of
the beautiful stream, he heard no sound but the
ripple of tho little waves tapping on the reeds,
The twittering of birds. and the hum of insects.
There, with q mind attuned By the peaceful
beauties of the solitary scene, he had traversed
a thousand considerations He thought of the
many characters with whom he had so sud-
denly been brought into more or less intercourse
Or contact. He thought much of Thellus, and
Of his poor Alba, go cruelty sacrificed. He was
puzzled by Claudius. He unused about Sejanus,
about Tiberius, about Velleius Paterculus,
about the two beautiful ladies in the litters
he thought of the third gold looking pslanQuin
and It's pallid occupant; Of the naughty and
violent, yet as it seemed, servile patrician and
senator, who had attempted suddenly to kiu