‘Miserable deceiver—I expose you at once! A Centurion and a troop of guards go with you.’
‘This is folly; you have spent the day with children,’ he said, bursting into a laugh. ‘I give you full credit for your penetration. Martialis and his myrmidons certainly go along with me. Could a Prefect depart on a mission without his trusty Pretorians? Who next?’
‘Pray tell me, Prefect!’ she wheedled.
‘I have already told you I know not myself, and, therefore, cannot tell.’
‘Then I will—I am going with you!’
The wily Prefect started back, and fairly opened his mouth in dumb astonishment.
‘What! You! Go to Capreae—with me!’
Plautia set her lips firmly and bowed gravely.
‘Pooh! pooh! you are losing your wits!’ he said, with scornful incredulity, and then he burst into laughter.
She watched him calmly until he had finished.