‘The place is so small, and its events so few, that every one seems to know everything that passes. As for his departure, I happened to be idling on the Marina at the moment he took boat, so that there is no mystery in my knowledge.’ ‘No matter; he will return, I presume.’ ‘Ah yes, for his sweetheart’s sake as well as his commander’s. It is a matter of jest how he invariably posts to Rome, when often he might save himself and the Imperial horses the labour. For instance, what a fine breeze has been blowing these three days past—a fair wind which would have taken a swift‐sailing galley straight from the Marina to Ostia or Puteoli without the touch of an oar.’ ‘Winds are apt to fail and change when least desired. He probably prefers the surer method of travelling.’ ‘Yes, but why?’ said Afer, with a cunning smile, ‘because his sweetheart’s home is but a few paces from the road to Rome, and thereby he gains the opportunity of seeing her for a few moments, going and coming—that is the real reason.’ ‘And an excellent one too, Afer. He shows his devotion as well as his sense. The woman ought to be proud of him,’ she replied, with a perceptible sneer which filled the listener’s heart with transport. ‘Lest it be of use to me, you may as well tell me this girl’s name.’ ‘I do not know, I grieve to say, but it may be obtained. Her father is well known, and lives on the further side of the town, close by the main road; he is a potter, as I have said.’ ‘Surrentum, I understand, contains many of them. Have you not his name?’ Afer considered for a few moments. ‘Ah, I know—it had almost slipped my memory. His name is Masthlion.’ ‘Masthlion—good!’ said Plautia; ‘it may help or it may not. It is as well to know it.’ She turned and walked quickly toward the villa, and Afer attended her in silence up to the door of her apartments. ‘I have been the unwitting cause of bringing you great unpleasantness,’ he said as he took leave; ‘but you will admit that I was unwilling to relate what I did.’ ‘I admit it. It was necessary for me to hear eventually—the sooner the better. I now perceive I gave way to my anger more than the occasion warranted, but on a woman slander falls heavier than on a man. _Vale!_’ She entered the room swiftly and shut the door, and the knight burst into a laugh and strode off. ‘If I have not opened a Pandora’s box in my own small way, I am mistaken. I am not to be treated as she treats that spiritless dog of a Martialis in Rome—no, by Hercules!’ CHAPTER XIX. Afer had gauged with tolerable accuracy the depth to which he had stirred the heart of Plautia, in spite of her efforts to counterfeit indifference. Indeed, with the actual knowledge he possessed of her feelings towards the Centurion Martialis, he could scarcely be misled.