CATILINE. She was here tonight.--
Yet let this be forgotten. Curius, listen,--
A weighty undertaking is on foot--

CURIUS. I know it all. Cethegus told me here--

CATILINE. Who knows what issue for this work the gods
Have set? Perchance it is my destiny
To perish now, crushed by malignant forces,--
And never reach my goal. Well, be it so!
But you, dear Curius, you whom I have loved
Since childhood,--you shall not be drawn within
This fateful maelstrom. Promise me,--remain
Within the city if I elsewhere choose
To open my attack,--which is quite likely;
Nor aid us till success has crowned our work.

CURIUS. [Moved.]
Oh, what a friend and father! All this care--!

CATILINE. You promise this? Then here we say farewell;
Wait but a moment; I shall soon return.

[He goes into the house.]

CURIUS. [Gazing after him.]
He loves me still. Of naught is he distrustful.

[LENTULUS and OTHER CONSPIRATORS enter from the right.]