Balbilla could not tire of admiring this varying scene, in which the most gorgeous hues vied with each other and the intensest light contrasted with the deepest shadows.  And she had ample time to dwell on the marvellous picture before her eyes, for her chariot could only proceed slowly, and at a point where the street led up from the King’s harbor to the palace, lictors stood in her way and declared positively that any farther advance was out of the question.  The horses, much scared by the glare of the fire and the crowd that pressed round them, could hardly be controlled, first rearing and then kicking at the front board of the chariot.  The charioteer declared he could no longer be answerable.  The people who had hurried to the rescue now began to abuse the women, who ought to have staid at home at the loom rather than come stopping the way for useful citizens.

“There is time enough to go out driving by daylight!” cried one man; and another:  “If a spark falls in those curls another conflagration will break out.”

The position of the ladies was becoming every instant more unendurable and Balbilla desired the charioteer to turn round; but in the swarming mass of men that filled the street this was easier said than done.  One of the horses broke the strap which fastened the yoke that rested on his withers to the pole, started aside and forced back the crowd which now began to scold and scream loudly.  Balbilla wanted to spring out of the chariot, but Claudia clung tightly to her and conjured her not to leave her in the lurch in the midst of the danger.  The spoilt patrician’s daughter was not timid, but on this occasion she would have given much not to have followed Verus.  At first she thought, “A delightful adventure! still, it will not be perfect till it is over.”  But presently her bold experiment lost every trace of charm, and repentance that she had ever undertaken it filled her mind.  She was far nearer weeping than laughing already, when a man’s deep voice said behind her, in tones of commanding decision: 

“Make way there for the pumps; push aside whatever stops the way.”

These terrible words reduced Claudia to sinking on to her knees, but Balbilla’s quelled courage found fresh wings as she heard them, for she had recognized the voice of Pontius.  Now he was close behind the chariot, high on a horse.  He then was the man on horseback whom she had seen dashing from the sea-shore up to the higher storehouses that were burning, down to the lake, and hither and thither.

She turned full upon him and called him by his name.  He recognized her, tried to pull up his horse as it was dashing forward, and smilingly shook his head at her, as much as to say:  “She is a giddy creature and deserves a good scolding; but who could be angry with her?” And then he gave his orders to his subordinates just as if she had been a mere chattel, a bale of goods or something of the kind, and not an heiress of distinction.