‘Older and wiser heads than yours think differently. Your views are prejudiced and circumscribed by the narrow limits of your own particular work—it will be necessary for your secret to remain undivulged.’
‘And yet there is no one living who would not seek the benefit of my glass—is it possible, then, for such a thing to be hurtful?’ muttered Masthlion in the keen bitterness of his soul.
‘’Tis strange, to say the least of it,’ said Plautia; ‘but courage—it will be approved—some day you will become famous.’
Tiberius smiled coldly. Seeing Masthlion about to speak again, he shot him a warning glance and raised his finger.
‘It is enough,’ he said; ‘I admit the disappointment, but it is unavoidable. At the same time your honest perseverance merits praise, whatever its fate. We may be able to recompense you in some way. You are a poor man, and I am told you have a comely daughter—let her come to Capreae and attend on this noble lady, whose interest you have won. In addition to the great honour and advancement it will confer on the girl, she will be bestowed upon the protection and kindness of the best of mistresses. It is a chance such as seldom offers.’
The words fell on Masthlion like a blight. Terror froze his heart with an icy grip, and animation seemed congealed, for a few moments, so sudden and dread was the blow.
The warnings and censure of his kinsman came back upon him. Their echo no longer sounded foolish. He was in the [pg 324]toils—in the midst of the vast palace, with guards and sleepless eyes environing down the water’s edge. In the very clutch of the ruthless being, the savour of whose public reputation was as the scent of blood: whose simple request was tantamount to a command.
How came he to know of her existence? Those two visitors to his shop, whom Cestus had warned him of! But then Neæra was as well known in the town as himself.
His mind flew back to his lowly home, and pictured his darling so vividly, that the fire of desperation rose upon the chill horror which filled him. She, who was all purity and womanliness, to inhabit there! They might rend him in pieces ere he would consent.
He moistened his parched lips with his tongue, and could scarcely trust his voice to frame an answer. He looked up again. Caesar and the beautiful woman were watching him. The immovable eyes of the former seemed to pierce him to the marrow, and he shuddered.