The courtiers whispered together in astonishment.
"What a fortunate man you are," Ævius whispered in the ear of the new favourite. "Why did not I have the good luck to possess Glyceria's love, that I might cast it from me with the same indifference?"
The slave soon returned with a letter from Glyceria to Manlius.
The latter handed it to the Cæsar:
"It is yours; read it!"
Carinus, with trembling hands, unrolled the parchment; his eyes sparkled as he read:
"Manlius! Your lines quiver in my hand. A thousand emotions are raging in my heart; fear, longing, holy horrour, and wild love. I am under the ban of an irresistible spell. I wish you might not come, but if you do, I shall be unable to resist you. I feel within my breast the power and the desire to destroy the whole world, but at a breath from you all my strength fails; I am nothing more than a weak, loving woman, who loses her reason in her love. Oh, do not come! Glyceria."
"That means: 'Oh, come!'" said Manlius laughing, propping himself carelessly on one elbow upon his couch.
Carinus ordered his lectica to be brought, and had himself lifted into it.
"No man has ever done that," whispered the barber, filled with envy; "given up his own bride to another."