"What wilt thou do if the Herod returns not?" he asked after a little silence.
"Do not speak of it, Classicus," she said hurriedly. "Flaccus is desperate."
"If Agrippa abandon Cypros," he offered, "she can divorce him, and simplify the tangle."
"Oh, no, Justin! Cypros is bound heart and soul to Agrippa. Even if he died, she would not turn to Flaccus! The dear Lord be thanked that we have a virtuous woman to defend!"
"Nay, then, thou strict little rabbin, what shall we do?"
"How slow these ships! The last letter we sent to him can hardly have reached Sicily!"
"He hath had a sufficiency of letters by this time! What was it he wrote thy father, last: 'I come with all speed; but reflect that Cæsar is master over me: his consent is needful!' Ha! ha! Caligula would give Agrippa half his Empire did he ask for it!"
She leaned her cheek in her hand, turning her face away from Classicus.
"Alas! I know why he lingers," she said to herself. "Marsyas hath departed unto Judea, and Agrippa lacks his controlling hand!"
"I appreciate the peril threatening thy father's house," the philosopher added after her continued silence, "and thou knowest thou shall have my help—blundering as it may be!"