midnight
His toga , which had been laid aside on entering the saloon , as was the custom of the Romans in their own families , or among private friends , hung on the back of an armed chair ; of ample size and fine material , but undistinguished by the marks of senatorial or equestrian rank . Such was the aspect , such the bearing of the youth , who might be safely deemed the girl 's permitted suitor , from his whole air and manner , as he listened to the soft voice of his beautiful mistress . For as they sat there side by side , perusing from an illuminated scroll the elegies of some long-perished , long-forgotten poet , now reading audibly the smooth and honeyed lines , now commenting with playful criticism on the style , or carrying out with all the fervor and romance of young poetical temperament the half obscure allusions of the bard , no one could doubt that they were lovers ; especially if he marked the calm and well-pleased smile that stole from time to time across the proud features of that patrician lady ; who , sitting but a little way apart , watched -- while she reeled off skein after skein of the fine Byssine flax in silence -- the quiet happiness of the young pair . Thus had the evening passed , not long nor tediously to any of the party ; and midnight was at hand ; when there entered from the atrium a grey-headed slave bearing a tray covered with light refreshments -- fresh herbs , endive and mallows sprinkled with snow , ripe figs , eggs and anchovies , dried grapes , and cakes of candied honey ; while two boys of rare beauty followed , one carrying a flagon of Chian wine diluted with snow water , the other a platter richly chased in gold covered with cyathi , or drinking cups , some of plain chrystal , some of that unknown myrrhine fabric , -LRB- 3 -RRB- which is believed by many scholars to have been highly vitrified and half-transparent porcelain . A second slave brought in a folded stand , like a camp stool in shape , on which the tray was speedily deposited , while on a slab of Parian marble near which the two boys took their stand , the wine and goblets were arranged in glittering order . So silently , however , was all this done , that , their preparations made , the elder slaves had retired with a deep genuflexion , leaving the boys only to administer at that unceremonious banquet , ere the young couple , whose backs were turned towards the table , perceived the interruption . The brilliant smile , which has been mentioned , beamed from the features of the elder lady , as she perceived how thoroughly engrossed , even to the unconsciousness of any passing sound , they were , whom , rising for the purpose , and laying by her work , she now proceeded to recall to sublunary matters .