‘I had forgotten my drink—no doubt because of your stirring news,’ continued Tiberius, with a delicate sarcasm, which the other instinctively likened to the toying of a tiger’s claws sheathed in velvet; ‘I drink to the happiness of my Romans, and to that of my Prefect in particular.’
A deep draught gurgled down the Imperial throat, and the cup was set down again more than half emptied. Tigellinus eyed his master with covert, doubting glances.
‘One little matter, illustrious, I had forgotten for the moment,’ he said, not daring to withhold it, and yet doubting how it might be received.
‘A little matter,’ observed Tiberius ironically, ‘I daresay with more in it than the other.’
‘It is in a measure connected with the Prefect, who so well deserves your gracious esteem,’ continued the other, deeming it safe to add the compliment from what had passed, although it had upset all his previous theories.
The Emperor nodded for him to proceed.
‘Shortly before the Prefect left Rome for Capreae, he told me that a certain lady wished to visit this island, and, in order that she might come without arousing any notice, I was to send her word when I was to start, that she might accompany me. She and a waiting slave, therefore, took passage with us, and, as I was instructed to do exactly as she desired, I took her, at her request; to the most secluded and out-of-the-way [pg 151]lodging I could think of, where she might pass the time without the fear of her presence becoming generally known.’
‘Is she young or old?’ asked Tiberius, raising his eyebrows in the faintest degree.
‘Young, most decidedly.’
‘Beautiful or hideous, good Tigellinus?’