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The Unwilling Vestal
The Unwilling Vestal
This book presents, for the first time in fiction, a correct andadequate account of the Vestal Virgins, their powers andprivileges, as well as of many strange Roman customs andbeliefs.The author combines the power of writing a rattling good storywith a sound and full knowledge of conditions of the life which heis depicting. Mr. White brings to the history of Rome all thepicturesqueness and power which made his South American novel,"El Supremo," so remarkable. The result is a vivid pageant ofimperial Rome and Roman life at the height of its power and splendor.
Book Excerpt
ter. I had thought my boy must wait two years or more for a wife, as I am determined that no more of my sons shall marry wives of their own age, let alone older. If your daughter is so young, she will just suit me, and since she is already grown up we shall not have to wait for her to grow up. We can arrange for the wedding for this month."
They chaffered a long time about the marriage settlement,Calvaster sitting silent, biting his lips, staring about him and fidgetting; Quartilla equally silent, but entirely placid, without the twitch of a muscle or any shift of gaze; the two men doing all the talking. Some of the talking was almost vehement, Pulfennius disclaiming promises which his host declared he had made. Once they came to a deadlock and then Brinnarius, his voice suddenly mild and soft, mentioned Rabulla's death and his notion of offering Brinnaria for her successor. At once Pulfennius became manageable and supple and all eagerness for the happiness of the young couple.
When it seemed th
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