‘You are a poor newsmonger on this occasion, Tigellinus,’ quoth the Emperor.
‘I am grieved to acknowledge the fact, Caesar,’ answered the other mournfully, ‘but what can your humble servant do in the lack of news? You would be displeased if I were to manufacture any to entertain you.’
‘Do not try!’ said Tiberius drily; ‘since nothing stirs the air of the city I may infer then that the people are well satisfied with the conduct of those in authority over them?’
Fairly warned by his slip, Tigellinus resolutely stifled his curiosity with regard to the Imperial policy, and was watchful not to be tempted from the secure path of plain matter-of-fact answers. He, therefore, replied to the artful question of [pg 150]the Emperor in a simple affirmative, ‘That it was as Caesar had said, as far as his perception was able to ascertain.’
‘Happy people! happy city!’ murmured Tiberius softly, as if to himself, or to the fire, into which he was gazing.
‘Truly happy!’ was the refrain of Tigellinus.
‘Ah—what?’ said Tiberius, looking up hastily, as though roused from a reverie.
‘I was merely agreeing with you, Caesar, when you remarked what is true beyond doubt, that Rome and its people were happy,’ said Tigellinus.
‘Did I then speak?’ said the Emperor carelessly; ‘I knew it not—I must have thought aloud—a style I am not given to.’
His glance fell on the goblet of wine, which stood untasted, and he stretched out his hand to take it.