[With anxiety.] My child is not ill again? [Valentinus signifies that this is not the case.] The gods reward you for what you have done in bringing her to health! My poor afflicted child! [Sighs heavily.]
Valentinus.
Tertulla may yet find happiness! [Asterius again sighs, thinking this impossible. Valentinus lifts a spray of blossoms to inhale its fragrance.] Your overseer, Pertinax, is here; a youth of a hundred accomplishments, it seems!
Asterius.
A deserving fellow! I bought him, as you know, from gratitude, but never have I repented me of the investment! Never does he give orders to hoe the barley in wet weather or cheat me in the number of elm and poplar saplings needed to prop up the vines!
Valentinus.
And the generous Asterius will no doubt soon reward him with his freedom!
Asterius.
[In pleased surprise.] Now how marvellous that you should perceive a thought that as yet has hardly come to the surface of my own mind! [Again Valentinus makes a deprecating gesture.] I only wait some fitting opportunity, some general rejoicing, to bring about this matter!
Valentinus.