"Say on, good Antonia," he urged uncomfortably. "I have not forsworn justice."
"Agrippa asks nothing more. His charioteer robbed him, and when he was captured and in danger of punishment, he claimed that he had information against Agrippa which concerns thy welfare. It is simply a device to put off punishment. He hath appealed to thee and thou hast not yet heard him. The Herod is eager that the matter be settled and begs that the slave be heard at once."
"Eh! what a fanfare of probity!" the emperor mumbled. "Leave it to a Jew to flourish his righteousness. If he is innocent, he can wait; if he is guilty, we shall overtake him soon enough. I owe him a sentence of uncertainty for his slights to my grandson, the little Tiberius."
"And thou hast but this moment said that thou hadst not forsworn justice!" Antonia exclaimed.
"Jupiter, but thou art provoking!" he fumed. "Hither, Euodus!"
Junia made a slight movement as if she meant to step between her father and the emperor, but was suddenly reminded of her part. She stopped again.
"How my sentimental heart cries out against my obligation to Flaccus!" she said to herself. "Here must I stand idly by, while this new Penelope to a dead Ulysses works the Herod's ruin!"
Euodus bowed beside Cæsar.
"Bring me the Jew's slave that hath a charge for me to hear. Bring him hither, and haste!"
The old man turned to Antonia.