“He may perhaps be detained for several days,” he said emphatically. “Be that as it may, you will allow me to leave two lines for him. If he should happen to come in, give him the note instantly, everything depends upon it.”
“You alarm me!” said Cornelia. “What is happening?”
“Forgive me, dear mistress, if I can tell you nothing more....”
He went to the table, hastily seized the first piece of paper that fell under his hand, and wrote as follows: “The Batavian to the noble Cornelius, greeting. Delay is danger. Remember Rodumna!”
“As soon as he arrives, before he has taken his cloak off—do you understand me, mistress? And if he should not return, tear the note into fragments, or throw it into the fire.”
“If he should not return?—but what should prevent him?”
“I only mean, if he should not return this night.”
Quintus drew the excited visitor on one side.
“What has happened?” he said.