"Then my husband ought to leave him among his disciples and his books. It was his wish that I should invite these people to my table. Florus and Pancrates I like—not the others."
"I can easily relieve you of the company of Favorinus and Ptolemaeus; send them to meet the Emperor."
"To what end?"
"To entertain him."
"He has his plaything with him," said Sabina, and her thin lips curled with an expression of bitter contempt.
"His artistic eye delights in the beauty of Antinous, which is celebrated, but which it has not yet been my privilege to see."
"And you are very anxious to see this marvel?"
"I cannot deny it."
"And yet you want to postpone your meeting with Caesar?" said Sabina, and a keen glance of inquiry and distrust twinkled in her little eyes.
"Why do you want to delay my husband's arrival?"