evening walks along the Tiber. No more hiding in chests or
jumping from windows. I, the favoured suitor of half the white
stoles in Rome, could never again aspire above a freed-woman.
You a man of gallantry, and think of such a thing! For shame, my
dear Coelius! Do not let Clodia hear of it."

While Caesar spoke he had been engaged in keeping Clodius at
arm's-length. The rage of the frantic libertine increased as the
struggle continued. "Stand back, as you value your life," he
cried; "I will pass."

"Not this way, sweet Clodius. I have too much regard for you to
suffer you to make love at such disadvantage. You smell too much
of Falernian at present. Would you stifle your mistress? By
Hercules, you are fit to kiss nobody now, except old Piso, when
he is tumbling home in the morning from the vintners."

Clodius plunged his hand into his bosom and drew a little dagger,
the faithful companion of many desperate adventures.

"Oh, Gods! he will be murdered!" cried Zoe.

The whole throng of revellers was in agitation. The street
fluctuated with torches and lifted hands. It was but for a
moment. Caesar watched with a steady eye the descending hand of
Clodius, arrested the blow, seized his antagonist by the throat,
and flung him against one of the pillars of the portico with such
violence, that he rolled, stunned and senseless, on the ground.

"He is killed," cried several voices.