THE ISLAND IN THE LIRIS Not yet the '_taciturnus amnis_,' which it becomes in the broad, seaward valley far below, the Liris at this point parts into two streams, enclosing a spacious island, and on either side of the island leaps with sound and foam, a river kindred to the mountains which feed its flood.

Between the two cataracts, linked to the river banks with great arched bridges, stood Marcian's villa.

Never more than a modest country house, during the last fifty years an almost total neglect had made of the greater part an uninhabitable ruin.

A score of slaves and peasants looked after what remained of the dwelling and cultivated the land attached to it, garden, oliveyard, vineyard, partly on the island, partly beyond the river in the direction of Arpinum, which historic city, now but sparsely peopled, showed on the hillside a few miles away.

Excepting his house in Rome, this was all the property that Marcian possessed.