“You know, of course, her father—”
“A gang of thieves!” snarled Hadrian.
“Do you know what has become of the girl?”
“Yes my lord,” said Antinous trembling with alarm. “I will have her taken by the lictors,” asserted the infuriated sovereign.
“No,” said the lad positively. “No, you positively must not do that.”
“No—? we shall see!”
“No, positively not, for at the same time you must know that Keraunus’ daughter Selene—”
“Well?”
“She flung herself into the water in despair; yes, into the water, at night—into the sea.”
“Oh!” said Hadrian more gently, “that certainly alters the case. The lictors would find it difficult to apprehend a shade and the girl has suffered the worst punishment of all.—But you? what shall I say to your perfidy? You knew the value of the gem. You knew how highly I valued it, and could part with it to such hands?”