A deep sigh was heard from a corner of the room. It was Chloe filling up the brasier with a shovelful of charcoal broken small.
“That may well be!” she murmured in a melancholy key.
“What time is it?” Cornelia asked her, to stop her talking.
“Half-way into the first vigil.”
“My uncle is very late!” said Cornelia. “He was to return at sundown. Hark! I hear steps....”
Parmenio come into the room announcing Caius Aurelius.
“At this hour!” cried Cornelia in surprise.
“He is in a great hurry,” said the slave. “He must speak to my lord, he said, even if you were gone to bed. I told him my master was gone to Aricia; at first he seemed much pleased to hear it, but then he grew anxious again. Now he begs to be admitted.”
“How very strange! Well, tell him he is welcome.”
Aurelius came in, evidently bewildered and agitated. He greeted Cornelia briefly, and asked whether Cinna was expected to return that evening. Cornelia’s reply made him thoughtful. Still, learning that Cinna, who was usually so punctual, was already nearly two hours behind time, his face beamed with inexplicable satisfaction.