She put back the hood of her cloak, and turned her face to him full in the light. He surveyed, indeed, to his intense astonishment, the beautiful face of the adventurous damsel; and, although the feeble rays of the thin moon overlaid with their own wan paleness the tell‐tale tints of her rich flooding cheeks, they rather, on the other hand, lit up the liquid brilliance of her dark eyes. Her white hand stole from the folds of her cloak, and rested gently on his arm. Young, high‐spirited, warm and impressionable, the look and soft touch of this lovely woman thrilled him through in despite of himself; but his lips closed a trifle closer, and his form stretched aloft almost imperceptibly. ‘Yes, ’tis I, Plautia!’ she murmured, with her haughty head drooping downward, and her hand falling from his arm at the same time. ‘I am wonderstruck!’ he said in a colder tone; ‘in the name of heaven, Plautia, how came you to be in such a spot as this—such a place as this island?’ ‘No matter how, Centurion; I am here—that is enough.’ ‘But yet it is incomprehensible—have you been here long?’ ‘No.’ ‘Did you come alone?’ ‘I have said it is enough that I am here, Centurion; you will not oblige me to ask you not to be so uncourteous as to question further?’ ‘I am, to a certain extent, responsible for the careful guard of this island retreat of Caesar,’ he replied rather grimly, ‘and the unexpected presence of a stranger on its Argus‐eyed shores renders me naturally curious. Scarce the flight of a bird to or from these rocks passes unnoticed—much less the arrival or departure of an individual without authority.’ ‘How know you that I am here without authority?’ ‘Because were it otherwise, it is more than likely that I should have become acquainted with the fact; and because no honourable woman would openly seek the polluted air of this island. You cannot have known this—or you have been misled, most likely. If it be so, quit the spot without delay, for it is fraught with danger to such as you. Did you send for me to help you? It must be so.’ ‘No. I know all you tell me. I am here in secret.’ ‘If you are sure of that, it mocks our watch and ward. But rest content that you cannot hope to remain long without discovery, in whatever nook you have found; at least you will tell me one thing—whether you have been decoyed here, or whether you came of your own free will.’ ‘Of my own free will.’ ‘It is extraordinary—some matter of huge importance must have impelled you.’ ‘Of the most vital importance—to me.’ ‘Why then have you summoned me, a comparative stranger to you and your affairs?’ ‘Do you begrudge me the time and trouble?’ ‘Thus far surely not.’ ‘Have no fear that I will interfere with your duty.’ ‘Good! Then I am at your disposal.’