Returning, he finished his wine, and then paced thoughtfully up and down the floor till the object of his care should make her appearance. In a few minutes she entered, attired for her short journey and followed by her female slave.
‘I am ready,’ she said briefly, and Zeno opened the door.
The litter was set down opposite, and his hand drew back one curtain, whilst a slave, on bended knee, drew back the other.
As she set her foot inside a whining voice bade her ‘A fair journey.’
‘Ah, I forgot!’ said Plautia, turning back to the cringing Tucca in the doorway; ‘here is payment for my lodging.’
‘By your leave, gracious Plautia, not a sesterce!’ interposed the vigilant Zeno; ‘he shall receive his due.’
‘Yes, from me—Caesar may add what he please!’ rejoined she haughtily. ‘Stand back—I would speak with him!’
They retired a few steps at her bidding, and she held out a gold coin toward the old man.
‘Here—this for your trouble!’
He clutched the shining piece in his filthy, horned fingers with a grasp of surprise and delight, and thereupon she added in a lower tone,