“I will not detain you.” The Flamen signed to the slaves, who disappeared with an enquiring glance at the young girl’s unusually serious face and manner.
“Now—what have you to say?” he asked, when they were alone.
“Father,” said Claudia in a low, but resolute tone, “I cannot marry Sextus Furius.”
“Folly!”
“It is not folly—it is as I say.”
“Because I do not care for him.”
“An excellent reason! Why, you hardly know him; try first to understand his worth.”
“I solemnly assure you it is quite in vain. My heart is given away—I love Caius Aurelius Menapius.”
“What!” cried the priest sternly. “A provincial, a man of no birth or family!”