The steward and the gate-keeper had both vanished .-- Do you remember the young Goths whom their father took to bathe in the Tiber last winter, when it was so cold?
And how they first stood on the brink and dipped their toes in, and then ran away and when they came back again just wetted their heads and chests?
But they had to jump in at last when their father shouted some barbaric words to them--I can see them now.

Well, Marcus was exactly like those boys; but at last he suddenly walked straight up to our door and knocked." "He remembered your pretty face no doubt," laughed Karnis.
"May be.

However, I did not stir.

I kept as still as a mouse, sitting on my stool and watching him through the key-hole, till presently he called out: 'Is no one there ?' Then I forgot and answered: 'They are all out!' Of course I had betrayed myself--but it is impossible to think of everything at once.

Oh! yes--you may laugh.