‘Nay, you must wait a little!’ answered the hideous doorkeeper, proceeding to shut him out.
But the Prefect’s reply was a vigorous push, which nearly overturned her, and brought him inside the passage, which was strongly pervaded by the fumes of cooking.
The old hag, staggering nearly to the ground, recovered herself and rushed at him, giving vent to an angry scream, and showing a formidable extension of her bony claws.
‘Away, you filthy harpy. Hideous crow!’ shouted Sejanus, [pg 115]repulsing her with another vigorous shove,—‘away and tell Tigellinus that Lars Porsena awaits him from Etruria.’
His imperious, as well as vigorous, manner cowed the old woman, and she shuffled away into the gloom of the interior, grumbling and muttering her suspicions. For the few moments which intervened Sejanus paced the obscure passage, inhaling the odours of the kitchen, to the disgust of his refined senses, and listening to the distant bursts of chatter and laughter, of what seemed to be female voices. A man made his appearance at length, and greeted him with deference. He was young, and had swarthy and handsome features.
‘I have had the misfortune to disturb you at your dinner, worthy Tigellinus,’ quoth the Prefect; ‘deny it not, for I can smell it palpably. I also hear the merry voices of your happy family, from which I have dragged you. I apologise!’
‘Do not, P—I mean Porsena,’ replied Tigellinus, ‘fifty dinners and families are not to be compared to the privilege of your visit. What can I do for you, noble sir?’
‘In here and I will tell you,’ said Sejanus, and they entered a small room. ‘When were you in Capreae last?’ inquired the Prefect, with a lurking smile.
‘Three months ago,’ was the reply.
‘Would it be wise and politic for you to go again within a few days?’