really fearing that the Falernian would do its good offices too
thoroughly. My wife, getting me apart as I walked round the circle
distributing viands, remarked that "the woman was a fool, and would
disgrace herself." But I observed that after the disposal of that
bumper she worshipped the rosy god in theory only, and therefore saw
no occasion to interfere. "Come, Bacchus," she said; "and come,
Silenus, if thou wilt; I know that ye are hovering round the graves
of your departed favourites. And ye, too, nymphs of Egeria," and
she pointed to the classic grove which was all but close to us as we
sat there. "In olden days ye did not always despise the abodes of
men. But why should we invoke the presence of the gods,--we, who
can become godlike ourselves! We ourselves are the deities of the
present age. For us shall the tables be spread with ambrosia; for
us shall the nectar flow."

Upon the whole it was very good fooling,--for awhile; and as soon as
we were tired of it we arose from our seats, and began to stroll
about the place. It was beginning to be a little dusk, and somewhat
cool, but the evening air was pleasant, and the ladies, putting on
their shawls, did not seem inclined at once to get into the
carriages. At any rate, Mrs. Talboys was not so inclined, for she
started down the hill towards the long low wall of the old Roman
circus at the bottom; and O'Brien, close at her elbow, started with
her.

"Ida, my dear, you had better remain here," she said to her
daughter; "you will be tired if you come as far as we are going."

"Oh, no, mamma, I shall not," said Ida. "You get tired much quicker
than I do."