soul.

“The girl is just talented, we have been doing only a couple of weeks,” Augustus replied with a nod.

- Perhaps, and you will show us your talent? Such a student should have an outstanding teacher, ”the priest of Venus intervened, watching with interest their conversation.

“As it pleases the most respectable,” Augustus rose, my student read the beautiful poem Catullus and I would follow her example.

Recalling the evenings spent in contemplation of the drops dancing on the water, he raised a half-empty glass of wine and began to rumble and loudly:

Drunk bitterness falerna

I fill the cup, boy!

So Postumia bade

Chairwoman orgy.

You, water, flow away

And a stream of hostile guilt,

Strict postnikov water:

Pure to us kind Bach

When he finished, he drained his glass in one gulp. Laughter and applause answered him. Voices sounded here and there: “Falerna to me, boy! Falerna! Fill my cup too! ”- the slaves hurriedly rushed to carry out the commands.

- Ha! You perfectly feel the moment, dear August, - Priest of Venus smiled approvingly.

“Thank you, this is an integral feature of both the warrior and the teacher,” Augustus saluted with a newly filled cup — by the way, about my student, I will soon be forced to leave her and I would like to take care of her future. Do you think she deserves to become a servant of Venus?

- Oh, she is superb! Her beauty and talents would certainly have served the temple well, but they say that she’s already assigned to wife some outstanding equity, so her father is unlikely to agree to that.

- Well, you sure will be flattering to hear such an offer! - August took a sip of wine and, shifting the conversation to another topic, he continued - how are the celebrations held in the capital this year?

The priest of Venus descended into a detailed story, but at this moment Augustus, out of the corner of his eye, noticed Felicia’s silhouette slipping away through the crowd. He tried in vain to see the girl's face, when a graceful figure in a long tunic disappeared without a trace behind the backs of the guests. In the meantime, the priest of Venus spoke with ecstasy about how today's celebration should be held in the capital, and the high servant of Jupiter slyly watched what was happening. The feast continued.

Cutting out the right moment, Augustus approached Kapion.

- Oh, dear August! What a pity you have to leave us tonight!

- Yes, I already lingered a little more than I should, but I could not miss the performance of my pupil. I hope my small request is fulfilled?

- Yes, the groom has already prepared everything.

- Well. You know Kapion, I'm worried about the fate of Felicia. I suspect that after my departure, she will once again take on the old and give you a lot of trouble.

- I will not hide, I thought about it, you may have to write out new teachers from Rome and hope that they will be able to tame her temper.

- I doubt it. By the way, I just spoke with the priest of Venus, with my performance Felicia made a wonderful impression on him. Perhaps you should think about giving a girl to be brought up to the temple. The cult of Venus Converting Heart will teach her modesty and order, and temple schools are now more than ever good.

- Indeed, an interesting thought! Although in this case, Felicia’s wedding will have to be postponed for at least another year, will your uncle be upset in such a case?

- It is difficult to say, but I suppose he will appreciate your desire how to prepare the bride.

- You are right, you are right, - Kapion smiled - it is worth thinking about this ideas.

- By the way, do you know how the Festival of Venus is taking place in the capital now? - as if continuing small talk, said August.

- Oh no, not yet heard. I, of course, will not be able to beat him. However, I would like to listen.

And Augustus began in general terms to retell what he had just heard from the priest, but at some point he stopped and continued after a pause:

- You know, Kapion, you better talk about this with the priest of Venus, because he was directly involved in the planning of these festivals, and it was time for me to get ready to go.

- Of course, of course, dear August! Still, it’s a pity that you can’t linger, you helped me a lot. Can I somehow thank you?

- Oh, this is not necessary, to visit with you in itself was a reward for me, - recalling yesterday evening, smiled Augustus - good-bye, Kapion!

“We’ll probably meet again, so see you, dear August.” Easy road!

On the way to the stable, Augustus noticed how the owner of the manor was animatedly talking about something in the company of priests, but he never saw Felicia.

The holiday was in full swing when the setting sun was approaching the horizon. Through the open gates of a slightly old-fashioned manor, a strong man emerged in a purple raincoat leading to the bridle of two fit, frisky horses. Having fastened the reason of the second racer to the saddle, he jumped on the horse with a sharp movement. And the frisky gallop carried the rider off through the cobbled streets of Fiden.