"You are a captive. Do not forget that. You must obey your master, and he--"
"Is here," said a deep voice.
Saturninus stepped between them. With a firm hand he held Bissula, who had turned, reeled as though giddy, and tried again to scale the wall. "Do not forget that, Ausonius."
Angered by the interruption, perplexed, and half ashamed, the other drew back. "What are you doing?"
"I am protecting my captive."
"Against whom?"
"Against every threat: against wiles as well as compulsion--even though well meant."
Both gazed at him in silence, but the girl's gratitude was blended with a slight thrill of fear--fear of this protector too.
Ausonius was the first to find words. In tones which revealed wrath, jealousy, and suspicion, he exclaimed: "And who will protect her against you?"
"Nothing and no one, except my own will."