The
steady tramp of marching troops outside had ceased, for the last
battalion had passed; and now the only sound was the silver bubbling and
plashing of a little fountain that adorned the courtyard upon which the
window of the apartment looked out.
'The pageant is over now,' said AEnone, 'and he will soon be here. Let me
know as soon as my lord returns.'
The woman bowed her head in silence; and then, feeling that nothing more
was wanted of her, slowly turned to depart. As she did so, a new comer
entered the room--a male slave of Gallic birth, who, by reason of his
lofty stature as well as wonderful strength, had been promoted from the
lowest order of servitude to become Sergius Vanno's armor bearer and
chief attendant. In that capacity he had fought through the late
campaign, and had now returned, bearing among his fellows his own share
of honor for successful and daring exploits. He had been released from
personal attendance only a few moments before, and was now carrying back
his master's sword and buckler, to hang them up in their accustomed
place, and himself subside into well-earned idleness. Being the first
time, for many months, that he had seen his mistress, he muttered some
rough ejaculations expressive of servile devotion, and then stood in
lazy attitude awaiting her permission to speak further.
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