"He is very much in need of your making allowances!" laughed Balbilla, while the praetor went up to, his wife and told her in a whisper what he had learnt from Mastor. Lucilla clasped her hands in astonishment, and Verus cried to the poetess:
"Now you see what a satisfaction your cruel tongue has deprived you of?"
"How can you be so revengeful most estimable Verus," said the lady coaxingly. "I am dying of curiosity."
"Live but a few days longer fair Balbilla, for my sake," replied the
Roman, "and the cause of your early death will be removed."
"Only wait, I will be revenged!" cried the girl threatening him with her finger, but Lucilla led her away saying:
"Come now, it is time we should give Julia the benefit of our advice."
"Do so," said Verus. "Otherwise I am afraid my visit to-day would seem opportune to no one.—Greet Julia from me."
As he went away he cast a glance at the nosegay which Arsinoe had given away as soon as she had received it from him, and he sighed: "As we grow old we have to learn wisdom."
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