THE hour of the cœna had arrived, and by the activity of numberless slaves every thing was prepared in the house of Lentulus for a grand reception of guests. The fires blazed brightly in the kitchens, where the cook, assisted by a number of underlings, was exhausting all his skill. Whenever the covers were removed from the vessels, a grateful odour, more inviting than the smoke of a fat burnt-offering, diffused itself around, and ascended on high to the habitation of the gods. The pistor and structor were occupied in arranging the dessert, in all the forms that ingenuity could suggest, while the first course was ready for serving.

The triclinium had been placed in a spacious saloon, the northerly aspect of which was well adapted for the time of year. Around a beautiful table, covered with cedar-wood, stood elegant sofas, inlaid with tortoise-shell; the lower part decked with white hangings embroidered with gold, and the pillows, which were stuffed with the softest wool, covered with gorgeous purple. Upon the seats, cushions, covered with silken stuff, were laid to separate the places of the guests. The tricliniarch was still arranging the side-tables, on which valuable drinking-vessels were displayed, and in straightening the draperies of the triclinium, when his lord entered, accompanied by the guests.