Her softened eyes, steadily contemplating the yellow light on the leaves of a huge plantain growing near her, narrowed.
"Lydia?" she repeated thoughtfully. "Oh, Lydia dances and studies and makes ready for her marriage with Classicus."
One of those utter silences fell, which mark the announcement of critical news. After it, Marsyas arose.
"I have profited by my visit," he said, in that soft and silken voice which she had never heard before and did not understand. "I thank thee for thy counsel—and thy news."
He extended her his hand, and she looked at him, feeling that it was not steady.
"And thou wilt come again before I go?" she went on. "We are summoned to Capri where my father hath been recently made a minister to Tiberius. Come again, and let me lead thee back to thine old self."
"Perchance," he said evenly, "I have uselessly troubled myself to change."
He pressed her hand and passed out.
At the threshold of her portals, he met Agrippa.
"Perpol!" the prince cried. "Hast thou supplanted me here, too?"