Neæra raised her eyes to his and the wondering expression was sufficient demand for explanation without speech.
‘There is no need for me to take you. You will go there by and by in better company, and your father and mother, mark my words, will follow to be near you.’
Her cheek gathered a faint colour again, but an expression of deep sadness stole over her face, and she turned her head aside. The Suburan pored keenly upon the perfect loveliness of her profile, which showed in singular relief under the white light streaming upon it from the open-fronted shop. He studied it intently, and, to judge from the expression of his countenance, with great satisfaction. Not altogether with the ordinary gratification which naturally arises from the contemplation of beauty, but, in this case, a particular satisfaction proceeding from the powerful recollections which her face inspired. A similar sweetness, a similar pure symmetry and nobility, was recalled to his mind, and he admired, therefore, with a double pleasure.
‘Have no fear, your father will follow,’ said Cestus assuringly. ‘One need not be an augur to foretell that.’
‘Alas, I think it is only I myself that give him this trouble,’ replied Neæra, with a heavy sigh.
‘Not at all!’ responded Cestus, never telling a lie with more pleasure. ‘I don’t know what’s the matter, but it isn’t that. It will all come right—it isn’t sunshine every day. Wait till I’m gone—I only want to see one person before I go, and perhaps you will tell me how long I shall have to wait.’
‘Who do you mean?’ said Neæra absently.
‘Why, the man who will, before long, take you to Rome—the Centurion.’
‘I know not that he will take me thither, and what can you want with him?’ said Neæra.
‘Merely a question or two—you see he has but a poor opinion of me, I am afraid, and I would like to part better [pg 245]friends. I may be able to do him a service some day—who knows?’