‘No; but some of Caesar’s household visited her and escorted her hence before my arrival.’
‘Phew?’ whistled the Prefect softly. He rubbed his chin slowly, and they gazed at each other for a few moments in silence.
‘Ha!’ ejaculated Sejanus, regarding the bare wall opposite and still smoothing the lower part of his face, ‘this is taking the load off our backs most effectually.’
‘’Tis as good a way as any for you, Prefect, though not perhaps for the sweet lady herself. She is in excellent keeping.’
‘Well, let us hope so—it must stand as our Imperial master has arranged it, at all events. She has only her headstrong folly to thank for her fate. She cannot say but that she had ample warning.’
‘The fact, nevertheless, remains, that with her subtlety and good looks, she may worm her way into the Imperial favour, and be pleased to make mischief if she be so inclined.’
‘Hm!’ said Sejanus, ‘we will see. Come! Tiberius has arrived at the villa above and I go to him at once. If he should open his lips to tell us anything of this it would be as well to be truly astonished to hear it.’
‘You would not be very prudent to play a part, Prefect,’ said Afer drily. ‘If Tiberius has had such prompt information of the lady’s presence, depend upon it there will be not much more that you or I could impart to him. The best course will be a candid one, without any disguise.’
‘Disguise, Afer!’ ejaculated the Prefect scornfully; [pg 235]‘am I a truant schoolboy fearing the rod of the pedagogue? What atom of concern is it to me? Had she been mine, and of interest to me, I would have demanded restitution from Caesar himself, and he would not dare to retain her. I will tell him all, or little, or nothing at all, just as I am inclined. Go, bid the people prepare and we will start.’