‘’Tis the pampered creature of the pampered master,’ he muttered sneeringly to himself, ‘but there is a day in store for them, or I am mistaken. Tell me then quickly, where is the Prefect lodging in this island of palaces? with which of the gods does he at present reside, if the Caesar lives with Neptune?’
This last question, loudly asked, was answered by one of the coastguard men, to the effect that the Prefect was housed, with his retinue, in the villa dedicated to Mercury, which stood on the hill, on the north side, overlooking the town and the Marina.
‘Take us not to the Mercury of the Prefect, nor yet the [pg 141]Neptune of Caesar,’ said the guarded voice of one of the heavily-shrouded females, in his ear; ‘but to the lares and penates of some humble and obscure islander, where we may rest unnoticed and secure.’
‘If that be your wish, noble lady, you had better retire at once into one of the grottoes of the cliffs,’ replied Tigellinus, ‘for on this mite of an island everything is known; and one cannot hope to live on its face and remain secret. This is not Rome, but a tiny spot, where want of occupation renders everybody and their business the concern of everybody else. It is a strange place, and one not lightly to be meddled with, as no doubt you will discover before you are quit of it, my lady.’
The merchant, or whatever he was, gave a laugh.
‘Spare your remarks, and do as I bid you,’ said Plautia, for it was no other than she, who, together with a slave, had thus carried out her intention of visiting Capreae; ‘you know to whom you are answerable for my safe and secret conveyance to this spot.’
‘Perfectly well, noble Plau——’
‘Silence; you have already said sufficient, and it is unnecessary for your lips to speak my name at any time—still less in this spot. Come, let us dally here no longer.’
‘I will but give a few directions to these fellows concerning the landing of my merchandise to-night, and then I will proceed with you speedily.’
Stepping up to one of the coastguards, he spent a minute in conversation. Then he intimated he was ready, and proceeded up the steps before described, followed by the adventurous lady and her maid.