“But I told Tigellinus that the gods are not subject to evil charms. Thou rememberest, divinity, his confusion and thy exclamation, ‘Habet!’”
“I remember.”
Here he turned to Vinicius,—“Dost thou love her, as Petronius says?”
“I love her, lord,” replied Vinicius.
“Then I command thee to set out for Rome to-morrow, and marry her. Appear not again before my eyes without the marriage ring.”
“Thanks to thee, lord, from my heart and soul.”
“Oh, how pleasant it is to make people happy!” said Nero. “Would that I might do nothing else all my life!”
“Grant us one favor more, O divinity,” said Petronius: “declare thy will in this matter before the Augusta. Vinicius would never venture to wed a woman displeasing to the Augusta; thou wilt dissipate her prejudice, O lord, with a word, by declaring that thou hast commanded this marriage.”
“I am willing,” said Cæsar. “I could refuse nothing to thee or Vinicius.”
He turned toward the villa, and they followed. Their hearts were filled with delight over the victory; and Vinicius had to use self-restraint to avoid throwing himself on the neck of Petronius, for it seemed now that all dangers and obstacles were removed.