Chapter 6 Chapter 5: Catilina's Three-Bed Dining Room and Valeria's Chamber of Secrets

Caterina's mansion, located on the southern slope of the Palatine Hill, was not considered the tallest and most luxurious house in Rome. Half a century later, that house, like the orator Holdencius, became an Austro Part of the estate of Gustus.But, in its interior construction and furnishings, it was comparable to that of any of the most famous noble houses of the time; especially Caterina and his friends lay there to feast while the first torch was burning. The luxurious structure and furnishings of the three-bed dining room are famous all over Rome. Six columns of Tivoli marble divided a wide rectangular hall into two parts.The pillars are twined with ivy and wild roses, which give off a field-scented fragrance where this art serves the lustful and the gluttonous.

Along the walls, likewise hung and embellished with fragrant garlands, stood delicate statues, radiant with nude beauty.The floor was inlaid with precious wood, and there was a scene of Satyrs, satyrs, fauns, and elves dancing the baas, depicted with exquisite skill by the artist; Fantasy makes the goddesses who dance the round dance unabashedly show the most seductive posture. Inside the hall, behind the six marble columns, stood a round table made of the rarest and most precious marble.Around the table were three tall couches with bronze feet.The couch was covered with famous and expensive purple felt, and there were several soft cushions on the felt.From the ceiling hung an intricately carved candlestick of gold and silver.It illuminated the hall with brilliant candlelight, and at the same time gave off bursts of intoxicating fragrance, but this sweet fragrance will make people feel paralyzed and stunned.

Beside the walls stood three finely carved bronze dressers, adorned with wreaths and leaves.In these cupboards were kept sterling silver tableware of various shapes and sizes.Beside the sideboard were several bronze benches covered with purple felt and twelve bronze statues of black Ethiopians.Each statue, adorned with precious collars and precious stones, held a sterling silver candlestick, illuminating the already bright hall even more brilliantly. Catilina and his guests were reclining on the couch with their elbows on the soft purple cushions.Here are: Gurio, Lucius.Bistia, an enthusiastic young man, later became a tribune; Gaius.Antony, a young nobleman, also cold, decadent, and deeply indebted, was originally a sympathizer of the plot of Catalina in 691 A.D. Instead of consul, he became Cicero's assistant.In that same year he, with the capable help of Cicero, put an end to the affair of his former like-minded friend Catiline.And here is Lucius.Calipurnius.Picasso.Cesinius, a dissolute and shameless aristocrat, was also a man who was deeply in debt and unable to save himself. Although he could not save Catirina's life in the Roman era 691, the god of fate made him die in Rome. A.D. 696 avenged his friend; that was the year Piso was consul, so he did everything in his power to exile Cicero.Picasso was a rough, disrespectful, bohemian, lustful and uneducated person.Lying with Picasso on the second couch in the middle of the hall and considered as the seat of honor is a young man of about twenty years old; his handsome face like a woman has been painted with rouge, his His hair was curled and perfumed, and the undereyes were blackened; but the skin on his cheeks was loose, and his voice was hoarse from drinking too much.This is Aurus.Carbinius.Nippert, a bosom friend of Catiline.He worked with Piso in AD 696 and finally exiled Cicero.The host asked Carbinius to lie down on the consul's seat on the couch of honor: he was lying on the right side near the door of the three-court dining room, so he was considered the guest of honor at the banquet.

Next to Capinius, on the third couch, lay a young nobleman, no less capable of indulgence and profligacy than any other.His name is Lendurus.Cornelius.Sule is a brave and powerful man.In 691 AD, he was hanged in prison by the then consul Cicero.This happened before Katirina conspired to stage a coup, because Lendulus.Cornelius.Souler was most active in this conspiracy. Lying in Lendurus.Beside Sule is Gaius.Cornelius.Zegizius, he was a hot-tempered, bold youth.He also dreamed of taking part in a coup d'état to seize state power in Rome and implement new reforms.Gaius.Veles was the last person lying on the couch.A brutal, greedy, and ambitious nobleman, he had recently been praetor under Calpo, then proconsul of Gaul, and finally proconsul of Sicily.During his tenure as Governor of Sicily, he was famous for his greedy behavior of plundering the wealth of the residents.

As we can see, the seats in the three-bed dining room are full of guests, and the group of people gathered here are definitely not the most noble citizens of Rome, nor are they here for any noble merit or cause. . All the invited guests wore dinner gowns made of very thin white linen, and crowns of flowers made of ivy, laurel, or rose on their heads.The sumptuous dinner with which Caterina entertained her guests was almost finished.There was a pleasant atmosphere among the nine nobles.The banter, jesting, clinking of glasses, and natural conversation fully testified to the superb skill of Catilina's cook, and especially the ardent service of his toasting slave.

The slaves serving at the dining table all wore light blue jackets and stood opposite the honor couch, ready to meet any guest's needs as soon as he signaled. In the corner of the restaurant sat a group of musicians, actors and dancers.They wore very short tunics, adorned with flowers, and from time to time they danced lasciviously to the sound of music, enlarging the merry feast. Pour me a Fareron, cried Senator Guilio in his voice hoarse from excess, holding out his silver cup to the nearest toasting slave.Pour a glass of Faridol.I praise Caterina for his generosity of spirit Crassus, that wretched miser, and all his fortune, go to Terter.

Now you're about to see the drunk Guilio stammering out quotes from Binda.It's not a pleasant thing to do, Lucius.Bistya told Katirina next to him. If his memory is good, that's all right.Perhaps he had dipped his memory into the glass an hour ago, Catilina replied. Crassus, Crassus!This is my nightmare, he is someone I will always think about and see in my dreams!Gaius.Willis sighed. Poor Veles!Crassus's untold wealth keeps you awake, Aurus.Captivius stared at the person beside him, said viciously, then stretched out his snow-white hand to straighten his curly curly hair sprinkled with perfume.

Isn't the day when everyone is equal?Veles yelled. I don't know what the two idiots, the Gracchus, and the fool, Drusus, were thinking when they were going to give the land to the common people and start a riot in the city!Gaius.Anthony said.In any case, they did not think of poor nobles at all.But who else, who else is poorer than us?These greedy moneylenders devour our income from the land.Under the pretext of charging interest on the debt, they withheld all our income before the due date Really, who else is poorer than us!In this world of unheard-of miserliness, created by stern senators and omnipotent laws, our good youth has to be spent in poverty, and we are forever tormented by unfulfilled desires.Lucius.Bistya gripped the drained wine glass convulsively, and said through gritted teeth.

Who else is poorer than us?We are born aristocrats only to be laughed at!To say that we have any authority is just a mockery of us, to say that we can command the respect of common people is to make fun of us, Lendurus.Sule said angrily. Poor men in togaes That's what we are! A beggar in purple! We wretched paupers have no place in the rich feasts of Rome! Kill those money lenders and bank bosses! Let the Twelve Tables go! And those decrees of the Chancellors! Let the senatorial regime go to Alebus! Let God-King Jupiter unleash his almighty thunderfire, and burn the senate to ashes!

Just to let you warn me beforehand, lest I go to the Senate at that time, stammered the drunken Guilio, staring and looking stupid. This unexpected but significant drunken remark caused a roar of laughter, and that was the end of Caterina and his guests' tiresome recounting and cursing of misfortune. At this moment, a slave entered the Three-Ta Dining Room.He approached his master and whispered a few words into his ear. Ah, I swear to all the gods in hell!Catalina shouted happily.finally come!Bring him in quickly, and let his friend come here with him. The slave bowed, and was about to go out when Caterina stopped him and said:

You should treat them well.Wash their feet, anoint them with sesame oil, dress them in robes, and crown them with flowers. The slave bowed again and went out.Then Catiline said to his steward: Epafort, give me orders at once to have the rest of the table cleared, and to place two stools opposite the consul's bed, while I wait for my two guests.Call these actors, musicians, and all the slaves out of the hall, and rearrange everything so that we may have a long talk, and have another merry and hearty feast. When the butler, Epafort, conveyed the master's order, and the actors, musicians, and slaves left the hall, the guests drank the old Fareron wine foaming from fifty years ago in silver cups, and on the other hand, they were full of nostalgia. With obvious curiosity, he waited anxiously for the two guests the host had spoken of.In a moment the servants ushered them into the hall, dressed in white gowns and crowned with roses. This is Spartacus and Clixus. May God bless the master of the house and his noble guest, said Spartacus. I salute you, Clixus said. Glory and honor to you and your friends, bravest Spartacus!Catiline rose to welcome the gladiator, and replied. He took Spartacus by the hand and pulled him to the couch where he had been lying.He made Clixus sit on the stool opposite the couch of honour, and sat down beside him. Why don't you come to my house tonight, Spartacus, and dine with noble and respectable young men like me?Catilina pointed to his group of guests and said to Spartacus. Why don't you want to?You can't come, Catilina.I did not warn you in advance, but I am sure your porter will deliver what I have entrusted him to convey to you. Yes, I have heard what you told him not to come to my supper. But you don't know the reason why I can't come, it's because I'm not sure of his prudence, so I can't pass this on to your porter too, I have to go to a little tavern where gladiators used to gather Go, meet some people.Those I met were of high prestige among unfortunate gladiators. I see.At that time, Lucius.Bistya interrupted, with an element of sarcasm in his tone.We too are gladiators, we contemplate our emancipation, we speak of our rights, and we take up the dagger to defend them! Spartacus' face suddenly flushed, and he knocked on the table with his fist, and at the same time stood up abruptly and shouted: Yes, of course, I swear by all the Thunderfires in JoVE!I wish but he suddenly stopped his shouting, changed his tone, changed his words and manner, and continued: But only with the will of the great gods and the consent of your powerful nobles, we oppressed people can Take up arms for freedom. The voice of this gladiator is really loud!It's like a bull braying!The drowsy Guilio turned his bald head to his right shoulder, then to his left shoulder, and muttered. This arrogant look is probably only the happy dictator Lucius.Cornelius.Sulla only, Gaius.Anthony continued. Knowing the consequences of these mocking attacks, Caterina ordered the slaves to refill their guests with Falelon, and rose, saying: Noble Roman nobles, nobles of great souls, who deserved to enjoy liberty, power, riches, and all kinds of happiness as much as possible, but were deprived by merciless fate, nobles whose morality and courage are well known to me, we Faithful and upright friends of yours, I now introduce to you a man of fortitude and courage, the unleashed gladiator Spartacus.His physical strength and fortitude should not belong to the Thracians at all, but to the citizens and nobles of Rome.For the prowess he displayed while fighting in our regiments, he was awarded a citizen's laurels and raised to the rank of captain of ten But this does not prevent him from escaping from our army whenever he has a convenient opportunity, Lucius.Bistya interrupted Katirina's words. What does that matter?Katirina said aloud even more radiantly.When our army went to attack his motherland, he left us in order to defend his hometown, his relatives and his own Kitchen God. Can you accuse him of such a crime?If ye were captives of Mithridas Tislane and were drawn into his army, when the eagle of Rome appeared, who among you would not think, To cast aside the banners of the hideous barbarians and return to the banners of the countrymen? , Is it an obligation? Catilina's words caused a burst of admiration.Inspired by the sympathy expressed by his audience, he continued: I, you, and the whole city of Rome have seen this resolute and fearless gladiator, and have praised him. only the warriors.And this man whose qualities are higher than his rank and doom, who is as much a slave as we are, and as much an oppressed as we are, has devoted himself to a noble cause, difficult and dangerous, for several years: he fought among gladiators Working in secrecy, uniting them by a sacred oath, he intended to someday raise their revolt against the tyrannical government that had driven them to ignominious deaths in the gladiatorial ring for the entertainment of spectators.He was setting the slaves free so that they could return to their homeland. Catiline was silent, but then continued after a while: Isn't that what all of you and I want, and have you not been thinking?What do gladiators need?Just be free!what do we needIsn't it the same against this oligarchy and the same plan to revolt?Since the republic was ruled by this rambunctious few, the tributes of all kings, governors, peoples, and states in the world have been paid to them, and to them only; the rest of the republic's noble and upright citizens We have become the scum of the scum, nobles and commoners alike, unfortunate, oppressed, lowly and despicable. The young nobles felt a thrill of excitement.Hate, anger, and desire for vengeance shone in their eyes. Catalina continued: Our families are poor, we have no status, our present situation is miserable, but our future will be worse.What are we left with but a miserable life of meager existence?Isn't it time for us to wake up? Let's wake up!Gurio suddenly said in a hoarse voice. He listened to Catirina's words in a coma, but he didn't know what it really meant, so he rubbed his eyes trying to understand it. Although those who participated in the conspiracy were attracted by Caterina's words, they couldn't help laughing at this stupid nonsense of Guilio. Go to King Minos, and let him examine your exploits.You nasty scarecrow, drunkard!Catilina clenched her fists and cursed loudly at the unfortunate drunk. Shut up and sleep, you worthless bastard!cried Bistya, and pushed Gurio so hard that the drunkard lay down straight on the couch. Catiline drank slowly a few sips of Farelon, paused for a moment, and continued: Well, brave and promising young men, I invite you here today to discuss whether it is necessary to unite with Spartacus and his gladiators for the benefit of our cause.If we decide to attack those nobles and senators who hold the supreme power, treasury, and powerful army in their hands, we can never win by our own strength.We must seek help from those who can assert their rights, who can achieve them, and who can avenge their shame.The war of the poor against the rich, of the slave against his master, of the oppressed against his oppressor, must be our cause.I do not understand why we cannot draw gladiators to our side, subject them to our leadership, and make them soldiers of our many Roman legions?Otherwise, if you can persuade me on the contrary, we can postpone our plans for an insurrection until a more favorable time. A flurry of complaints followed Katilina's speech. Obviously, most of the nobles were very dissatisfied with his proposition.Spartacus listened to Catilina's words excitedly, and carefully observed the reactions of these young nobles.Then he said in an extremely calm tone, although his face was already pale: O Catiline, noble man whom I respect and reverence.I'm here to satisfy your request, but I don't expect you to persuade these noble nobles at all.Although you sincerely believe what you say, deep down in your heart you have absolutely no confidence in it even yourself.Allow me, you and your noble guests, to speak frankly, and I will tell you all that is in my heart.By the rule of the great nobles, you free and noble-born citizens are excluded from the institutions that govern the affairs of state, and robbed of your wealth and power.This wealthy aristocratic class is hostile to the people and to those who are brave and want to carry out new reforms; their regime has filled Rome with tragic civil wars and upheavals for nearly a hundred years, but now they are more At any time in the past, it is even more important to centralize the control of all political power, and they can rule and dominate you at will.But for you, the purpose of a coup d'état by force is to overthrow the present Senate, to replace the current laws with other laws that are more just and far-sighted for the people, and to equally distribute wealth and rights, and to use another batch of laws. A new senate is formed from among you or among your friends.To you, as to those now in power, the people who live north of the Alps or abroad are forever barbarians; you still want them to be as they were, still under your rule, still To be your vassals; to show your nobility, you wish your mansions to be filled with slaves, and in the arenas, as at present, to be constantly held with the bloody fights of your favorite gladiators.When you are victorious and in power tomorrow, the gladiator fights will become entertainment and rest for you to adjust your heavy government affairs.You only want this, which is the most important thing for you, and that is: replace the current rulers by yourselves. But our hapless gladiators are concerned with something else entirely.We despised sluts by all, deprived of our liberty, deprived of our country, forced to kill each other for the entertainment of others, must be free completely and fully.We will take back our country, our home!The object of our insurrection, therefore, must not only be against the present rulers, but also against their replacements, be they called Sulla or Catilines, Cegizius or Pompey, Lendulus or Crassus.But on the other hand, do we gladiators hope to use our own strength to launch an armed uprising alone to overthrow the mighty Roman rule?No, winning is impossible!That is.The cause we have planned is hopeless.For a time I had hoped that you, Catirina, and your friends would be our reliable leaders, and I thought you consuls and nobles would be our gladiator legions Commanders, and would bear your names and your titles to these regiments, I have succeeded in encouraging my unfortunate companions with the zeal my own hopes aroused.But now I understand, O Catilina, after several long conversations between you and me, I understand the prejudices of your upbringing that make it impossible for you to be our leaders, and I deeply believe in the long-standing The hopes that haunted me so deeply that I had only dreamed of them were shattered. From now on, I had to give up these hopes with infinite pain, just like giving up unthinkable absurd ideas.Can our uprising have any other meaning besides the word absurd?Even if we could gather five thousand or even ten thousand gladiators, what would be the result?What kind of prestige can I or someone like me have?What influence can either I or someone stronger than me have?In less than ten days, our legion will be completely wiped out.Twenty years ago, the same thousands of gladiators, under the leadership of the brave Roman knight Minoitius, or Vitius, resulted in the uprising in Capua.Although they were led by men of noble birth and of valor and fortitude, they were finally overthrown by the army of General Luculus It is indescribable what impression these words of Spartacus made on this distinguished guest who had always regarded him as a mean savage.Some people were shocked by the Thracian's eloquence, others were moved by his noble heart, and a third group was impressed by his profound political opinions, but at the same time all people respected Spartacus. Satisfied with Rome's attitude.The unleashed gladiator flattered the pride of the nobles so skillfully that they all praised the brave Thracian;Bistya expressed to him that he was willing to be his protector and friend. The questions they raised were discussed for a long time, which shows that there are great differences among them.In the end they decided to postpone the planned coup d'état; they were prepared to wait for the gods of time to offer them a favorable turn, and the goddess of luck, Folkina, gave them a good chance for this valiant enterprise. Spartacus expressed to Catilina and his friends that he himself and the few gladiators who believed and respected him were willing to serve the nobles. Yes, always secretly emphasizing the few words.Spartacus and Clixus, when they had drained the cup of friendship which had gone round among all the guests, plucked a few rose petals from their corolla, and threw them into the cup, like the rest of the guests.Then the two gladiators stood up and bid farewell to the master of the mansion and his guests.No matter how graciously these nobles invited them to the banquet in another hall, they flatly refused.The pair of gladiators finally left the noble mansion. When Spartacus reached the street, he walked towards Sulla's mansion together with Kelixus.Before they took four steps, Kelixus asked: i want you to explain to me Shut up for Hercules!Spartacus interrupted his question in a low voice.You will know all this later. They walked more than three hundred steps in silence.Then Spartacus broke the silence, turned to the Gaul and whispered: There are too many people there, and these young nobles are not all on our side, nor are they all rational, we cannot trust them.Listen: for them our plot no longer exists, it has vanished like a wild dream.You go now to the gladiatorial school in Akzen, and change the incisions of our joints and the codes of our handshakes.Now our incision is not light and freedom but persistence and victory; our secret signal is no longer three short handshakes, but three light taps on the palm of the opponent's right hand with the index finger of the right hand. So Spartacus held Clixus' right hand, tapped his palm three times with his index finger, and said: That's it, do you understand? Understood, Clixus replied. Then you go now, don't waste time.Let each group leader warn his five gladiators that our plot was almost exposed.To everyone who contacts us with the old incisions and codes, it should be answered that the insurrection is hopeless and that there is absolutely no point in pursuing absurd adventures.Tomorrow morning we will be at Julius.Meet at Rabezius' gladiatorial school. After shaking hands with Clixus, Spartacus quickly walked towards Sulla's mansion.He got there quickly and knocked on the door.Mendin opened the door for him and led him into a small room assigned to Mirza, one of many in the house in Valeria's house. Mirza had already won the favor of her mistress, and she had taken up the important post before her as van Laeria's dressing-maid.Mircha is very worried for her brother.As soon as Spartacus entered the room, the girl rushed towards him. She put her hands around her brother's neck and kissed him wildly. When the storm of friendship subsided, the radiant Mirza told Spartacus with great joy that she would never have dared to call him here at this late hour if it had not been for her master's order.Valeria used to talk to Mirza about Spartacus for a long time, and kept asking her about Spartacus, and expressed the general lady's concern for the release of gladiators and gladiators for his fate. A peculiarly warm sympathy not often found.Knowing that Spartacus has not yet obtained a job position, Fan Laeria ordered Mirchha to call him here that night, and was going to ask him to manage the gladiator that Sulla had established in Kumar's villa not long ago. School. Spartacus's expression changed a lot because of his love and excitement; he listened to Mircher's words, his face turned pale for a while, and turned bright red for a while.no doubt.A strange thought was racing through his mind.Then he shook his head vigorously, as if trying to get those thoughts out of his head. However, if I agree to manage that little gladiatorial school, will Van Lelia ask me to be sold as a slave again or let me remain a free man?Finally, he asked about his sister. She didn't say anything to me about that, Mircher replied.But she likes you so much that there is no doubt that she will let you remain a free man. So, Fan Laeria is a very kind lady? Yes, yes, she is not only very kind but also very beautiful Ah, so she is a very kind and good person! She really likes you very much, doesn't she? like me?Very?But I have nothing but respect and admiration for her.Such is the only feeling anyone in my position can have for such a lady. Then let you know, only I beg you not to tell anyone that she forbids me to tell you that, no doubt the immortal gods ought to make you feel like that too!This is why you must be grateful to Fan Laeria and you must understand that your freedom is what she persuaded Sura to give you in the arena! What, what did you say?is this real?asked Spartacus, trembling with excitement, and his face turned pale. True!It's just that I want to tell you again, you must not show that you know this. Spartacus seemed to be thinking about something.After a while Mircher said to him: Now I must go in and report to Van Lelia that it is you.I'll come and lead you to her again with her permission. Mirza, as light as a butterfly, slipped through a small door and disappeared.Spartacus was lost in thought and didn't notice his sister's departure. The freed gladiator first saw Valeria a month and a half ago; when he came to visit his sister in Sulla's mansion, he once met Valeria who came out in a sedan chair under the arcade. Her snow-white face, big black eyes and dark hair made a very strong impression on Spartacus.He felt a strange, incomprehensible, and irresistible attraction to her, and at once a burning desire arose in him: for this woman as elegant as Minerva, noble as Juno, and A woman as attractive as Nas, he imagined that he could even kiss the hem of her robe. As for Valeria, although the noble status of Mrs. Sulla forced her to adopt a reserved attitude towards such humble people as Spartacus, in any case, as we know, when she Seeing Spartacus immediately produced the same soul-stirring emotions that Spartacus felt when he first saw her. At first the poor Thracian tried to drive out of his heart this feeling, which was new to him; Between them lay insurmountable obstacles.But the thought of this woman came up in his mind again and again, stubbornly and stubbornly, constantly emerging from all kinds of worries and things to grab his heart; it came back to his head every minute At first, it made him agitated, and later, this kind of longing became more and more intense, and finally seized his whole body and mind.Sometimes, it would even go so far that, without knowing how, he would be drawn by an inexplicable force behind the pillars of the arcades of Sulla's mansion, where he would wait for Valerie. Ya's appearance.He had peeked at her several times while hiding in a place where she could not see, and each time he found that she was more beautiful than the last time, and he missed her more and more every day.He adores her, loves her passionately, regards her as his goddess.It was a feeling he could not explain to anyone, not even to himself. Valeria has only seen Spartacus once.For a moment it seemed to the Thracian that she looked at him kindly and tenderly, and he even felt that her eyes shone with love.But he immediately dismissed the idea.He thought it was the idea of ​​a madman, a memory and delusion produced by fanatical fantasies.Because he knows that such thoughts will drive him crazy. Such was all that was in the poor gladiator's mind, and it was not difficult to see what impression Mirza's words would have on him. Here I am, in Sulla's mansion, thought the poor man.There are but a few steps between me and this woman. No, this is not a woman, but a goddess, for whose sake I am ready to give my life, my name, and my blood.I'm here, but soon I'll be close to her, maybe alone with her.I will hear her voice and see her face very close.Her eyes, her smile He had never seen Van Laeria's smile, but he thought her smile was wonderful, like the spring sky, reflecting her dignified and noble goddess-like character. sex.Just wait a little longer, and the infinite happiness that he can't imagine or even see in his dreams will come to him. What's wrong with him?Perhaps he has become a captive to the capricious daydreams or the fantasies of lovers?Maybe, he has gone crazy?Or, have unfortunately lost their rationality? He shuddered at this thought, looked around in fear for a while, opened his eyes wide, and began to look for his sister in panic, but she was no longer in the room.他用手按著額角，好像要止住太陽穴上血管的急劇跳動，驅散那好似籠住了他整個頭腦的迷霧似的，他用好不容易才聽得出的聲音喃喃地說： 啊，偉大的神啊，把我從瘋狂中救出來吧！ 他又向四面看了一會兒，這才漸漸地恢復了神志，明白自己處在什麼地方。 這是他妹妹的小房間。房角裡放著一張狹窄的床，靠壁放著兩條金漆木凳。再過去些是一架青銅鑲嵌的木櫃，上面放著一盞蜥蠍狀的、塗綠釉的陶土油燈，而點著的燈草就像是從這隻綠蜥蜴的嘴裡伸出來的一條火舌。抖動的火焰驅散了房中的黑暗。 但是，幾乎陷入昏迷狀態的斯巴達克斯還是轉著同樣的念頭，他以為這一切仍舊是夢境，而且自己已經發了瘋。於是他走近那個木櫃，伸出左手把食指放到油燈的火焰中去，直到被灼痛才真正清醒過來，而且竭力用理智逐漸克制了自己的激動。 當密爾查進來叫他，準備把他領到范萊麗雅的密室中去時，他在外表上已經顯得相當平靜而且非常高興，雖然他覺得他的心正在那兒猛烈地跳動。密爾查發覺他的臉色蒼白，就關切地問道： 斯巴達克斯哥哥，你怎麼了？你感到不舒服嗎？ 不，不，恰巧相反，我從來沒有感到像今天這麼好！釋放角鬥士一面跟著他的妹妹走，一面說。 他們走下一道小樓梯（在羅馬人的住宅裡，奴隸通常是住在樓上的），接著就向范萊麗雅在等候他的密室走去。 所謂羅馬貴婦人的密室，就是指她們單獨讀書或者接待親密的女友進行知心談話的房間。按照現在的說法，我們可以把它叫做機密的房間，自然囉，這樣的房間是和女主人的住室連在一起的。 范萊麗雅的密室在她的冬宅裡（在羅馬貴族的府邸中，通常按照四季分成四宅）。這是一個小巧舒適的房間。好多鐵皮製成的管子，巧妙地隱藏在東方工匠織的華麗帷幕的皺襞後面，散發出令人愉快的溫暖。外面的天氣愈冷，裡面就愈使人感到舒服。四壁掛著四幅美麗的天藍色綢幕，它們那瑰奇的皺襞和鋸齒形的邊緣，幾乎從天花板上一直垂到地上。綢幕上罩了一層好像雲霧一般的白紗，那上面綴著無數新鮮的玫瑰花，它們芬芳的香氣充滿了整個房間。 一個有三個燈頭的純金雕成的吊燈，從天花板上掛下來，它的形狀像一朵巨大的帶有葉子的玫瑰花那是一位希臘名師的驚人傑作。那盞吊燈發出一陣陣混雜著燈油味的阿拉伯香料的氣味，而且射出淡藍色的柔和的光輝，但燈光只驅散了密室中的一部分黑暗。 在這個一切按照東方風尚陳設的房間裡。除了一張單背的長榻之外，就沒有什麼別的大型家具。榻上放著好幾個柔軟的鴨絨枕頭，外面套著鑲有淡藍色花邊的白綾枕套。榻旁放著兩隻套著同樣的白綾套子的小凳和一個還不到四掌高的純銀小衣櫃。在衣櫃的四格抽屜上面，極其精巧地雕出了蘇拉的四次大勝利的戰爭情景。 在銀櫃子上面放著一隻水晶缸，缸上有凸出的，鮮豔的紫色花紋。這是有名的阿萊季納工匠的傑作。缸裡盛著煮熱了的甜美的果汁，其中的一部分已經斟在旁邊的一隻瓷杯裡了。這隻杯子是蘇拉送給范萊麗雅的結婚禮物，它本身就相當於一整個寶庫，它的價值在三千萬或者四千萬塞斯太爾司以上。這樣的杯子在當時是一件罕有的寶物，是大家極其推崇的。 在這個幽靜、舒適、芳香的角落裡，到了晚上，身披極薄的白綾無袖長袍，腰繫淡藍色絲帶的美女范萊麗雅，就在這兒的長榻上睡覺。在幽暗的燈光下，她那比得上奧林帕斯山女神的雙肩，宛若象牙雕成的豐滿臂膀，以及被她漫不經心地披散下來的波浪般的黑髮掩映著的、半裸的、潔白的胸脯，顯得優美極了。她用肘彎支著枕頭，她那纖小得像孩子一般的雪白的手托著她的頭。 她半閉著眼睛，臉色顯得極其寧靜，好似已經睡著了；但事上，她卻正沉浸在自己的想念中，而且這些想念顯然非常甜蜜；她處在恍恍惚惚的狀態中，連那被密爾查領進密室，出現在她眼前的斯巴達克斯也沒有注意到。當密爾查輕輕地開門進來又立刻走出房間，並且在外面關上門的時候，范萊麗雅甚至連動也沒有動一下。 斯巴達克斯的臉變得比巴羅斯島的大理石還要白。他那烈火一般燃燒著的眼光盯住了這位美女。他呆呆地站在那兒，懷著崇敬的心情欣賞著她。他的心中激起了一陣陣難以描述的、從來沒有經歷過的猛烈騷動。 幾秒鐘的時間過去了。如果范萊麗雅不是處在忘記周圍一切的恍惚狀態中，她一定可以清楚地聽到這位釋放角鬥士的暴風雨一般急驟的呼吸。突然，她驚醒過來，好像有人在叫喚她而且低聲告訴她：斯巴達克斯已經來了。她微微坐起，把她那一下子布滿了紅暈的美麗的臉轉向色雷斯人，接著深深地吸了口氣，用親切的聲音問道： 啊你來了嗎？ 斯巴達克斯一聽到這聲音，他所有的血似乎都湧到臉上了。他向范萊麗雅跨了一步，就好像準備說什麼話似地張開了嘴巴，但結果卻一句也說不出來。 但願神靈保佑你，勇敢的斯巴達克斯！范萊麗雅首先使自己安定下來，露出殷切的笑容說。那那麼坐下吧，接著她又指著凳子添上一句。 這一次斯巴達克斯才略微鎮定下來，但是他還是用微弱的、顫抖的聲音回答她道： 神對我的保佑，已大大地超過我所應得的了，神聖的范萊麗雅。他們賜給我凡人所能得到的最大恩惠：他們把你的庇護賜給了我。 你不僅勇敢，范萊麗雅回答，她的兩眼閃耀著喜悅的光輝。而且受過很好的教育。 於是，她突然用希臘話問道： 在你被俘之前，據說你是你祖國人民的領袖之一，那是真的嗎！ 是的，斯巴達克斯也用希臘話回答，他說的話即使不像雅典人那麼優美，至少也跟亞歷山卓人說的一般文雅，我是羅多帕山色雷斯人中最強大部族的一個族長。我有過許多房子，成群的羊和牛以及肥沃的牧場。那時候，我很富裕，很有權力而且非常幸福。請相信我，神聖的范萊麗雅，我熱愛人民，我很公正。虔誠而且仁慈 他突然停頓了一下，接著深深地嘆了一口氣，用極其激動的顫抖的聲音說： 那時候，我並不是野蠻人，也不是受人蔑視的不幸的角鬥士！ 范萊麗雅不禁憐惜斯巴達克斯起來，她的心裡騰起了一種善良的感情，於是，她抬起閃閃放光的兩眼，懷著壓抑不住的柔情說： 你的可愛的密爾查常常跟我談起你的一切，我早已知道你具有非凡的勇毅精神。現在我跟你談了話就更加明白了：你絕對不是一個永遠被人蔑視的人，就你的智慧，你的教養以及你的風度來說，不但根本不像一個野蠻人，卻像一個希臘人。 斯巴達克斯對這些溫柔的話所產生的印象簡直是難以形容的。他的眼睛頓時潤濕了，他用斷斷續續的聲音答道： 啊，願你幸福謝謝你同情我的好意，一切女人中最最仁慈的女人啊！願偉大的神在所有人中間特別寵愛你像你這樣的人是應該得到這樣寵愛的願祂們使你成為世界上一切凡人中間最最幸福的人！ 范萊麗雅已經不能克制自己的激動了，她那含情脈脈的兩眼以及使她那雪白的胸脯起伏不停的急促而又劇烈的呼吸，都證明了這一點。 斯巴達克斯自己也把持不住了；他覺得他已經被魔法迷住了，他已經落到他腦中所產生的幻象的陷阱中了，但同時他又全心全意地甘願向這美妙的夢景和幸福的幻象降服。他用充滿了溫馴和崇敬之感的狂喜眼光注視著范萊麗雅：他貪婪地傾聽著她那悅耳的聲音，好像傾聽從太陽神阿波羅的豎琴上發出來的和諧的音樂一般。他用狂熱的、激情的、顯然充滿了說不出的愛之喜悅的眼光注視著她，但是他卻不能也不敢相信范萊麗雅眼光中反映的一切；他覺得那只是幻覺，只是他自己狂熱的想像的產物。但無論如何。他自己那充滿了愛情的、像火山熔岩一般熾烈、像太陽光一般閃耀的眼光，始終沒有離開范萊麗雅那對奇妙的眼睛；現在這對眼睛，對他來說已經成為他生活的全部意義，他的全部感情、全部思想已經統統屬於她一個人了。 在斯巴達克斯的話說完了以後，緊接著來的就是一陣寂靜，可以聽見的只是斯巴達克斯和范萊麗雅的呼吸聲，在不知不覺之間，他們產生了同樣的念頭和同樣的感情，那使他們的靈魂感到戰慄，他們兩個都覺得昏亂到了極點。 范萊麗雅首先突破了這一危險的沉默，她對斯巴達克斯說： 現在你已完全自由了。你是不是願意去管理一個包括六十個奴隸的角鬥學校？蘇拉準備把他們訓練成為角鬥士，他已經決定把那個學校設立在庫瑪的別墅裡。 只要你願意，我什麼都可以去做，因為我是你的奴隸，我的一切都屬於你，斯巴達克斯用無限溫柔而且忠誠的眼光望著范萊麗雅說。 范萊麗雅默默地對他注視了好久，然後站了起來。她好像被恐懼的心理折磨著，在房間裡來來去去地踱了好幾次。接著，她突然在這位釋放角鬥士面前停下來，仍舊默默地注視著他的眼睛，然後用極輕的聲音問道： 斯巴達克斯，請你老實告訴我：在幾天以前，你躲在我房子前面拱廊的圓柱後幹什麼呀？ 斯巴達克斯的祕密已經不再成為他獨自的祕密了。大概，范萊麗雅正在她的心底深處嘲笑這個膽大包天的角鬥士，他竟敢偷看羅馬最美麗最高貴的女人。 斯巴達克斯蒼白的臉頓時變得好像火燒一般，他低下頭，什麼也沒有回答。雖然他努力想抬起眼睛望著范萊麗雅而且跟她說話，結果還是被羞恥的感覺壓倒了。 這時候，他對自己不應得的可恥地位感到傷心；他從心底裡詛咒可憎而又強大的羅馬及其侵略戰爭；他咬緊了牙齒，他由於屈辱、悲哀和憤怒顫抖了一下。 范萊麗雅不知道斯巴達克斯為什麼默不作聲，就向他走近一步，用好不容易才聽得出而且比以前更溫柔的聲音問道： 告訴我你在那兒幹什麼？ 斯巴達克斯連頭也不抬，一下子跪在范萊麗雅的面前，低聲說： 饒恕我，饒恕我吧！命令你的奴隸監督用皮鞭抽我好了把我送到塞斯太爾司廣場的十字架上去吧。這是我應得的刑罰！ What’s wrong with you?stand up!范萊麗雅握住了斯巴達克斯的手，想把他拉起來。 我對你起誓！我崇拜你，好像崇拜維納斯和朱諾一般！ ah!范萊麗雅高興地叫道。原來你是為了看我才來的嗎？ 為了向你致敬來的。饒恕我，饒恕我吧！ 起來，斯巴達克斯，我的高貴的心啊！范萊麗雅用激動得發抖的聲音說，同時緊緊地握住了色雷斯人的手。 不，不，你的腳下。這就是我的地方，聖潔的范萊麗雅呀！ 接著，斯巴達克斯拉住她的袍角，熱烈地縱情地吻著。 起來，起來，這兒不是你的地方，范萊麗雅渾身顫抖著說。 斯巴達克斯一面熱烈地吻著范萊麗雅的手，一面站了起來，接著，他用充滿了愛情的眼光注視著她，好像夢囈一般，用極輕的、好不容易才聽得出來的聲音不斷地重複道： 啊，美妙的美妙的美妙的范萊麗雅呀！