The letter which Carrio held in his hand was addressed to him at a
villa--from which he had just returned--belonging to Vetranio, on the
shores of the Bay of Naples, and was written by the senator from Rome.
The introductory portions of this communication seemed to interest the
freedman but little: they contained praised of his diligence in
preparing the country-house for the immediate habitation of its owner,
and expressed his master's anxiety to quit Rome as speedily as possible,
for the sake of living in perfect tranquillity, and breathing the
reviving air of the sea, as the physicians had counselled. It was the
latter part of the letter that Carrio perused and re-perused, and then
meditated over with unwonted attention and labour of mind. It ran
thus:--
'I have now to repose in you a trust, which you will execute with
perfect fidelity as you value my favour or respect the wealth from which
you may obtain your reward. When you left Rome you left the daughter of
Numerian lying in danger of death: she has since revived.
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