She spoke slowly and with difficulty, for her breath was short, and a little dry gasping cough interrupted her again and again. “You speak in riddles, most gracious lady,” Cœlia replied; “I admire the excellence of your statue, and give the sculptor the highest meed of praise for the manner in which it is wrought. Flavia Mamilia is happy to have your near neighbourhood. I must hasten, as the elder of the company who resort to the Circus Maximus, to collect my maidens. A chariot race is a grand thing to witness, but there are many who find it tame sport in comparison to that of former times, when Christians were thrown, as they deserved, to the lions.” A strong emphasis was laid on the word _Christians_, and a glance of hatred from the Vestal’s dark eyes, directed at Hyacintha, told its own story, as she made the usual obeisance to the Vestal Maxima, and went to the farther end of the atrium. Hyacintha stood for a few moments leaning heavily on Hermione’s arm, and gazing at the marble resemblance of herself. A faint smile passed over her face, and she said in a low voice:-- “They will soon forget me, little Hermione, but you will ever love me.” “Oh, dear lady, we all love you, all but that proud and haughty Cœlia.” “She will succeed me, as Vestal Maxima,” Hyacintha said; “win her by submission, and do not irritate her by rebellion. Now let us go.” She turned for a moment and gazed at the noble hall with its forest of Corinthian columns, and watched the white-robed Vestals following Cœlia to the porta on their way to the Circus. Memories of her first appearance at that door, clinging to Clœlia’s hand, swept over her--the child of nearly twelve years old, now the woman of mature age! “Thirty years ago,” she whispered, “thirty years ago! Ah, little Hermione, I shall soon enter the city where _time_ is not--no counting of years there. Come, let us begin to mount the staircase, slowly, for I have but little breath in me.” In a state room in the upper part of the Vestals’ house the High Priest sat in solemn conclave with his subordinates, and those who might be called the Council of the order of Vesta. It was the custom of the Vestal Maxima to demand an audience, when she had any especial business to transact, or any dereliction in duty on the part of the Vestals to report. Hyacintha had given notice of her coming, and when she reached the upper corridor which ran round the atrium, with pillars corresponding to those below, she found a guard of honour waiting to escort her into the presence of the High Priest. It was usual for the Vestal Maxima to be attended by two of the elder Vestals on these occasions, but many had gone to the Circus, and only Hermione was with her. To the surprise of the guards, and of Hermione herself, the Vestal Maxima said:-- “I enter alone.” Then the curtain was raised, and Hyacintha Severa passed in.