Martialis was confused and silent, for he saw he had unwittingly betrayed what Cestus had particularly enjoined him to keep secret.
‘If this is so, then the tale certainly grows in interest,’ continued Tiberius, with a dark twinke of his eyes; ‘it lends it more substance and probability.’
‘I made a breach of trust in causing the name of Afer to be revealed,’ said Martialis anxiously; ‘were he to know, it might prove a risk to her.’
‘Be at peace, Centurion—I have such sympathy with the knight, that I could ill bear the matter to be interrupted for his sake.’
Caesar smiled grimly, and then his brows knitted in deep thought. He remained thus for some minutes without speaking. The young man’s heart throbbed fast, and it needed a great effort to retain an outward appearance of composure.
‘Centurion,’ said Tiberius, at length raising his head from his breast, ‘I love my Pretorians, and to deal hardly with them pains my heart. I have pondered on your case, and find much in excuse of your conduct—the inconsiderate rashness and haste of your youth, and the overwrought state of your feelings, which was only to be expected. I will not say I pardon you, but I will give you a chance of redeeming your liberty.’
The Centurion faltered out his thanks from a heart overflowing with joy.
‘Anything that may be honestly undertaken I will strain [pg 376]body and mind to accomplish, and prove my sense of your clemency,’ he said.
‘You will find it to your taste, Centurion,’ said Tiberius, speaking with a polished affability which proved irresistible to his astonished prisoner. ‘I propose that you busy yourself in establishing the identity of your betrothed with the granddaughter of Fabricius of the Janiculum. The fate of your endeavours will determine your own.’
Dumfounded with excess of wonder and joy, Martialis was speechless for a few moments. It seemed too good to be true, and he gazed in Caesar’s face with a lurking suspicion that, perhaps, he was, after all, the object of a bitter joke.