"Tell me."
"That of the Augusta, thy kinswoman," said Caius Nepos, after a slight moment of hesitation.
"Even hers."
"But she is a woman, and cannot lead an army," said the Emperor, whose voice sounded hollow and distant, as if it came from out the depths of a grave.
"Nor was that suggested, O Cæsar."
"What then?"
"The conspirators, methinks, have agreed amongst themselves that the future husband of Dea Flavia Augusta—whoever he might be—should be the successor of the murdered Cæsar."
"Whoever he might be," repeated the Emperor, mechanically echoing the other's words.
"Aye! The Augusta, I understand, favours no one as yet."