“There is evil rather than good.”
“There is good—but that is oft astray because of the darkness, and does not know its course.”
Domitia did not remain long in the Insula. She bade farewell to the wife of the actor and promised to revisit her. The presence of Glyceria refreshed, soothed, sweetened the mind of the girl that was heated, ruffled and soured by contact with so much there was in pagan life that jarred against her noble instincts, by the uncongeniality of her mother, and by the disgust she felt at association with Domitian.
When she arrived at the palace, she heard that her mother had been inquiring after her, and she at once went to her apartments.
Duilia asked where she had been, but did not listen for an answer, or pay attention to what was said, when the reply came.
“What is this I hear?” said Duilia, in a tone of irritation. “Lucilla tells me you have been chatting with Domitian, and in the street too——”
“I had no wish to speak with him. He came after me.”
“Oh! he went after you, did he? And pray what had he to say?”
“He is going to Germany to conclude a campaign already fought out and come back and triumph for another man’s victories.”
“You did not say so to him?”