should know her voice and motions anywhere. I will go myself in
disguise, and look at every person who goes in or out. I am thinking of
her always, and shall recognize her. Chilo is to come to-morrow, and we
shall go. I will take arms. Some of my slaves sent to the provinces
have returned empty-handed. But I am certain now that she is in the
city, perhaps not far away even. I myself have visited many houses
under pretext of renting them. She will fare better with me a hundred
times; where she is, whole legions of poor people dwell. Besides, I
shall spare nothing for her sake. Thou writest that I have chosen well.
I have chosen suffering and sorrow. We shall go first to those houses
which are in the city, then beyond the gates. Hope looks for something
every morning, otherwise life would be impossible. Thou sayest that one
should know how to love. I knew how to talk of love to Lygia. But now
I only yearn; I do nothing but wait for Chilo. Life to me is
unendurable in my own house. Farewell!"




Chapter XVI

BUT Chilo did not appear for some time, and Vinicius knew not at last
what to think of his absence. In vain he repeated to himself that
searching, if continued to a certain and successful issue, must be
gradual. His blood and impulsive nature rebelled against the voice of
judgment. To do nothing, to wait, to sit with folded arms, was so
repulsive to him that he could not be reconciled to it in any way. To
search the alleys of the city in the dark garb of a slave, through this
alone, that it was useless, seemed to him merely a mask for his own
inefficiency, and could give no satisfaction. His freedmen, persons of