‘I expected to see a gang of Pretorians with swords and chains,’ she replied, with as much sarcasm as her hauteur would admit.
Zeno suffered his humility to make bold with a smile, which disclosed his white teeth.
‘Ah no!’ he softly said, ignoring the biting allusion to swords and chains; ‘I and my slaves had the better fortune. Centurion Martialis and his Pretorians would have been as rejoiced as I am to have had the honour of escorting you, but they have privileges enough, without robbing your humble slave of a grateful task; they are even now hard at work with [pg 231]their exercises, as is their custom, within the walls of the villa Jovis.’
‘It is enough that I am to go with you, most worthy steward,’ returned she coldly. ‘You have more than sufficient force with you to compel me, as well as to guard me, if need be.’
Her mention of the Pretorians suggested to the Greek the artful introduction of the name of Martialis, and he raised his eyes to her face with an unconcerned glance to try and discover some effect of his words. But he was totally disappointed, and she retired at once into her own apartment.
During the colloquy the ancient Tucca had contrived to allow the fire to retain his attention, blowing a few puffs now and then to excite the sluggish flames, and piling here and there an ember, being to all appearances absorbed in the task. As the door closed upon the Roman beauty he turned up his shrivelled, leathery countenance toward the Greek with a leer, which seemed to extinguish his eyes in the dirt-engrained wrinkles of his face.
‘Worshipful Zeno!’ he chuckled, rising from his knees and lifting his filthy hands in exceeding admiration; ‘worshipful Zeno!’
‘It is all fair and smooth now, old wine-presser,’ returned Zeno in a guarded voice, giving him a playful buffet on the shoulder in high good humour. ‘What a high and mighty goddess it is! Why, the granddaughter of old Tiberius up yonder is a mere cottage girl to this! But the villa is a rare mill for such! She leaves Capreae soon—ha, ha!’
‘And you know how I helped you?’ rejoined Tucca.
‘Truly!’ replied the other, and he went to the door and signed to his slaves.