‘Yes, if I might plant them in myself for you to charm away—it would be a task I could never weary of.’
‘But I should—so let us not begin,’ she replied, with a divine smile.
‘What is all this muttering between you?’ cried Fabricius, growing impatient.
‘I am asking her if she thinks as kindly of me now that she is changed from the potter’s child into the granddaughter of Fabricius,’ replied Martialis.
‘Well, and what says she to that? Come, child, let us hear your sweet notes,’ said Fabricius; ‘he that bearded Caesar in his own hall for your sake is worthy of some reward.’
‘I have already given him all I have to give,’ she said, smiling and blushing upon her lover.
‘What in the world can better it, my sweet Neæra?’ responded Lucius with a fervent kiss.
‘Neæra no longer, but Aurelia,’ cried Fabricius.
‘Neæra she must ever be to me,’ said Lucius.
* * * * * * *