The Roman Traitor

The Roman Traitor is a historical novel set in the 1st century BC that features the turbulent political life of the Roman Republic. In the author's opinion, the conspiracy of Catiline was a theme particularly well adapted for the purpose, as being an actual event of vast importance, and in many respects unparalleled in history; as being partially familiar to everyone, thoroughly understood perhaps by no one and particularly interesting because of the dark and mysterious motives of the actors. 'The gate was closed as silently as it had given him entrance; was barred and bolted; and till then no word was interchanged. When all, however, was secure, a deep rich voice, suppressed into a whisper, exclaimed 'Sergius?' 'Ay!' answered Cataline. 'Come on!' and without farther parley they stole into the most secret chambers of the house, fearful as it appeared of the sounds of their own footsteps, much more of their own voices.'

Henry William Herbert (1807-1858), pen name Frank Forester, was an English novelist, poet, historian, illustrator, journalist and writer on sport. Herbert was a man of varied accomplishments, translating many of the novels of Eugène Sue and Alexandre Dumas into English. He is listed as a contributor to the first edition of The New American Cyclopedia. In 1834 Herbert published his first novel, The Brothers: a Tale of the Fronde, which was followed by a number of others. Herbert also wrote a series of historical studies and contributed to one of the early sporting magazines in the United States, the Spirit of the Times.