VALERIUS. CHAPTER I. THE Centurion, in virtue of his office, had free access to the gardens of Trajan; so he led us by both a more delightful and a nearer path towards the Salarean Gate.* Young Sextus then left us by ourselves, and we returned slowly through the beau * Trajan's private villa, where he chiefly resided, was on the Hill of Gardens, now called the Pincian. It was divided into two parts, the Villa Inferior, and the Villa Superior, these being connected by bridges. 66 tiful groves of the Imperial Villa, in hopes of finding my kinsman by the time we should reach his mansion. But as we were walking very quietly along one of the broad green terraces, we heard voices in an adjoining alley, separated from us by luxuriant thickets of myrtle, and Sabinus, whispering to me, Hush, let us see what we have got here," insinuated himself with great dexterity among the verdant shrubs. I followed him with as little noise as was possible, and having found a convenient peeping place, we soon perceived two figures, a man and a woman, walking side by side, apparently in earnest conversation, at some little distance from us in the moonlight. "Come, Sabinus," I whispered, "it is some couple of lovers perhaps I don't see what right we have to overhear their tender discourse." 66 Peace, peace," quoth he, "if you stir, they will detect us, and it is nothing unless it be known." |