"Of course I'm furious.

"Never name him to me!"

When Lutorius Rusco, the new Pontifex of Vesta, called on her
she was less explosive, but still fuming.

She received him in the large room at the east end of the peristyle
of the Atrium, a sort of parlor which had on either side of it three
very small rooms, the six, used as private offices by the six Vestals.
There each had her writing desk, and the cabinets in which she
kept her important papers, letters and such possessions.

After they had exchanged greetings Lutorius motioned towards
Brinnaria's little sanctum. Brinnaria bridled.

"I've nothing to say that we cannot say out here," she advertised,
"and I do not want to hear anything that cannot be said out here."

Lutorius was tactful and had his way. When they were alone, he
said:

"You were magnificent! You behaved splendidly. You could
not have done better. We are all proud of you, from the Emperor
down to the lowest slumgullion, every single Roman of us. You
are certainly the most popular woman alive and your popularity
is now of a sort to last as long as you live, complete and
unqualified. You were popular before, but with considerable
reservations. The hierarchy liked you, but were not sure that they
ought to approve a Vestal who had perpetrated such exploits as