“Whither hast thou been?”
“At thy new house. But hasten, O master!”
“Do the soldiers know of my new home?” asked Gyges, quickly.
“Nay, master; they know nothing.”
“Then come with me. Speak no more until I command thee.”
With the strong arm of Gyges supporting that of the stable-boy, they went along the Via Sacra and around the Palatine Hill towards the Porta Capena. It was the same walk that Psyche and Gyges had taken a few hours before. The shutters that closed the shops on the Via Sacra appeared to Gyges like coverings of tombs. The sparkling merchandise that had evoked such pleasure in Psyche seemed to him now as black as the abyss that separated the two lovers.
By the side of his master, Aldo bravely suppressed all sighs and groans. He was a bright, sprightly, slender lad of fifteen, with short light hair, clear blue eyes, and small mouth. He spoke quickly, with a sharp ringing voice. He was descended from Greeks who had been slaves. Gyges had bought him, and had taught him how to care for horses. The little slave was devoted to his master because Gyges had promised him freedom. Both master and slave now walked silently along. The mist had turned to rain.
Arriving before his new home, Gyges rapped sharply upon the door. At first no one answered. He rapped longer and harder. Finally a voice from within asked, “Who wishes to enter?”
“Open, Nana. ’Tis I!”
“What is thy name?” she demanded.