CHAPTER XX
THE ISLAND IN THE LIRIS
Not yet the '_taciturnus amnis_,' which it becomes in the broad,
seaward valley far below, the Liris at this point parts into two
streams, enclosing a spacious island, and on either side of the
island leaps with sound and foam, a river kindred to the mountains
which feed its flood. Between the two cataracts, linked to the river
banks with great arched bridges, stood Marcian's villa. Never more
than a modest country house, during the last fifty years an almost
total neglect had made of the greater part an uninhabitable ruin. A
score of slaves and peasants looked after what remained of the
dwelling and cultivated the land attached to it, garden, oliveyard,
vineyard, partly on the island, partly beyond the river in the
direction of Arpinum, which historic city, now but sparsely peopled,
showed on the hillside a few miles away. Excepting his house in
Rome, this was all the property that Marcian possessed. It was dear
to him because of the memories of his childhood, and for another
reason which sprang out of the depths of his being: on the night
after his mother's death (he was then a boy much given to seeing
visions) her spirit appeared to him, and foretold that he too should
die in this house 'at peace with God.
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