told a tale that had already been agreed upon between the two.  “This girl,” he said, “was born in my house, and was thence secretly taken to the house of Virginius, and passed off on the man as his daughter.  Of this I will bring proof sufficient, such as will convince Virginius himself, who doubtless has received the chief wrong in this matter.  But in the meanwhile it is reasonable that the slave should remain in the house of her master.”  To this the friends of the girl made answer, “Virginius is absent on the service of the state, and will be here within the space of two days, if tidings of this matter be sent to him.  Now it is manifestly wrong that judgment concerning a man’s children should be given while he is himself absent.  Let the cause, therefore, be postponed till he come.  Meanwhile let the maiden have her freedom, according to the law which Appius and his fellows have themselves established.”

Appius gave sentence in these words:  “That I am a favorer of freedom is manifest from this law of which ye make mention.  Yet this law must be observed in all cases and without respect of persons; and as to this girl, there is none but her father only to whom her owner may yield the custody of her.  Let her father therefore be sent for; but in the meanwhile Claudius must have custody of her, as is his right, only giving security that he will produce her on the morrow.”

At this decree, so manifestly unrighteous was it, there was much murmuring, yet none dared to oppose it, till Numitorius, the girl’s uncle, and Icilius came forth from the crowd.  The lictor cried, “Sentence has been given,” and bade Icilius give place.  Then Icilius turned to Appius, saying, “Appius, thou must drive me hence with the sword before thou canst have thy will in this matter.  This maiden is my espoused wife; and verily, though thou call hither all thy lictors and the lictors of thy colleagues, she shall not remain in any house save the house of her father.”

To this Appius, seeing that the multitude was greatly moved and were ready to break forth into open violence, made this reply:  “Icilius cares not for Virginia, but being a lover of sedition and tumult, seeks an occasion for strife.  Such occasion I will not give him to-day.  But that he may know that I yield not to his insolence, but have regard to the rights of a father, I pronounce no sentence.  I ask of Marcus Claudius that he will concede something of his right, and suffer surety to be given for the girl against the morrow.  But if on the morrow the father be not present here, then I tell Icilius and his fellows that he who is the author of this law will not fail to execute it.  Neither will I call in the lictors of my colleague to put down them that raise a tumult.  For this my own lictors shall suffice.”