No
word passed his lips--no action betrayed his misery. He stood before
the spoilers of his home, changed in an instant from the courageous
enthusiast to the feeble, helpless, heart-broken man.
Though all the ferocity of his old Roman blood had been roused in
Vetranio, as he threatened Ulpius, the father's look of cold, silent,
frightful despair froze it in his young veins in an instant. His heart
was still the impressible heart of youth; and, struck for the first time
in his life with emotions of horror and remorse, he advanced a step to
offer such explanation and atonement as he best might, when the voice of
Ulpius suspended his intentions, and made him pause to listen.
'She passed me in the hall,' muttered the Pagan, doggedly. 'I did my
part in betraying her into your power--it was for you to hinder her in
her flight. Why did you not strike him to the earth,' he continued,
pointing with a mocking smile to Numerian, 'when he surprised you? You
are wealthy and a noble of Rome; murder would have been no crime in
you!'
'Stand back!' cried the senator, thrusting him from the position he had
hitherto occupied in the door-way.
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