“None, except that after to-morrow my mistress starts for her villa at Cajeta,[40] and of course I go with her. I shall want more money to carry on my operations in your favor.” “More still? You have had all I have received from my father for months.” “Why, do you know what Fabiola is?” “Yes, to be sure, the richest match in Rome.” “The haughty and cold-hearted Fabiola is not so easily to be won.” “But yet you promised me that your charms and potions would secure me her acceptance, or at any rate her fortune. What expense can these things cause?” [Illustration: The Appian Way, as it was.] “Very great indeed. The most precious ingredients are requisite, and must be paid for. And do you think I will go out at such an hour as this amidst the tombs of the Appian Way, to gather my simples, without being properly rewarded? But how do you mean to second my efforts? I have told you this would hasten their success.” “And how can I? You know I am not cut out by nature, or fitted by accomplishments, to make much impression on any one’s affections. I would rather trust to the power of your black art.” “Then let me give you one piece of advice; if you have no grace or gift by which you can gain Fabiola’s heart----” “Fortune, you mean.” “They cannot be separated;--depend upon it, there is one thing which you may bring with you that is irresistible.” “What is that?” “Gold.” “And where am I to get it? it is that I seek.” The black slave smiled maliciously, and said: “Why cannot you get it as Fulvius does?” “How does he get it?” “By blood!” “How do you know it?” “I have made acquaintance with an old attendant that he has, who, if not as dark as I am in skin, fully makes up for it in his heart. His language and mine are sufficiently allied for us to be able to converse. He has asked me many questions about poisons, and pretended he would purchase my liberty, and take me back home as his wife; but I have something better than that in prospect, I trust. However, I got all that I wanted out from him.” “And what was that?” “Why, that Fulvius had discovered a great conspiracy against Dioclesian; and from the wink of the old man’s awful eye, I understood he had hatched it first; and he has been sent with strong recommendations to Rome to be employed in the same line.” “But I have no ability either to make or to discover conspiracies, though I may have to punish them.” “One way, however, is easy.” “What is that?” “In my country there are large birds, which you may attempt in vain to run down with the fleetest horses; but which, if you look about for them quietly, are the first to betray themselves, for they only hide their heads.” “What do you wish to represent by this?” “The Christians. Is there not going to be a persecution of them soon?” “Yes, and a most fierce one; such as has never been before.”