"To business!" interrupted a young man with short curly black hair and brilliant black eyes. Impatiently he threw his _sagum_ (or short cloak) back over his right shoulder, so that his broad sword became visible. "To business, priest! What shall be done to-night?"
Silverius cast a look at the youth, which, with all its unctuous repose, could not quite conceal his lively dissatisfaction at such bold independence. In a sharp tone of voice he continued:
"Those who do not believe in the holiness of our aim, should not, were it only for the sake of their own worldly aims, try to disturb the belief of others in its sanctity. But to-night, my Licinius, my hasty young friend, a new and highly welcome member is to be added to our league; his accession is a visible sign of the grace of God."
"Who will you introduce? Are the conditions fulfilled? Do you answer for him unconditionally, or have you other surety?" So asked another of those present, a man of ripe years with regular features, who, a staff between his feet, sat quietly on a projection of the wall.
"I answer for him, my Scævola; besides, his person? is sufficient----"
"Nothing of the sort. The statutes of our league demand surety, and I insist upon it," said Scævola quietly.
"Good, good; I will be surety, toughest of all jurists!" repeated the priest with a smile.
He made a sign towards one of the passages to the left.
From thence appeared two young _ostiarii_ (doorkeepers), leading a man into the middle of the vault, upon whose covered head all eyes were fixed. After a pause, Silverius lifted the cover from the head and shoulders of the new comer.
"Albinus!" cried the others, in surprise, indignation, and anger.
Young Licinius grasped his sword; Scævola slowly rose; confused exclamations sounded from all sides.
The reviled man looked shyly about him; his relaxed features announced inborn cowardice; as if beseeching help he turned his eyes towards the priest.
"Yes, Albinus!" said the latter quietly, thus appealed to. "Will any one of the colleagues speak against him? Let him speak."
"By my Genius!" cried Licinius, before any one could reply, "needs it to be told? We all know who and what Albinus is. A cowardly shameful traitor"--anger suffocated his voice.