“Lord, how permit that such a thought should even pass through the head of any one, and all the more that any one should venture to express it aloud in thy presence!”
“Punish the insolent!” exclaimed Vitelius.
Nero raised his lips again to his nostrils, and, turning his near-sighted, glassy eyes on Petronius, said,—
“Is this the way thou payest me for the friendship which I had for thee?”
“If I am mistaken, show me my error,” said Petronius; “but know that I speak that which love for thee dictates.”
“Punish the insolent!” repeated Vitelius.
“Punish!” called a number of voices.
In the atrium there was a murmur and a movement, for people began to withdraw from Petronius. Even Tullius Senecio, his constant companion at the court, pushed away, as did young Nerva, who had shown him hitherto the greatest friendship. After a while Petronius was alone on the left side of the atrium, with a smile on his lips; and gathering with his hands the folds of his toga, he waited yet for what Cæsar would say or do.
“Ye wish me to punish him” said Cæsar; “but he is my friend and comrade. Though he has wounded my heart, let him know that for friends this heart has naught but forgiveness.”
“I have lost, and am ruined,” thought Petronius.