Knowing the great desire of Vergilius, she bribed the priest Lugar to
give him crafty counsel. On the very morning of that second day the
priest came to him.
"How fares your soul, noble tribune?" said Lugar.
"I feel it strong in me," said Vergilius.
"And you would know if it be strong unto salvation?"
"That would I gladly know."
"Come with me this night and you shall see your soul in the balance."
"And whither shall we go?"
"To the palace of Laban, steward of the king. I shall come for you
soon after the ninth hour."
"And thereby increase my debt to you," said Vergilius. "Remember my
soul may not be rejected for lack of gratitude."
Now in that hour which follows the beginning of night, Lugar and
Vergilius were come to the place appointed. Slaves led them through a
great hall to the banquet-chamber. There were the daughters of Laban,
reclining in graceful ease. The banquet-table had been removed. Now
they were taking their feast of old tales and new gossip. They rose
and came to meet the young men. Tunics of jewelled gauze covered
without concealing forms lovely as the sculptures of immortal Greece
and redolent of all rare perfumes.
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