The poignant accents and the unaccustomed name thrilled through her with indescribable sensations. With no less power, but in a different way, the old man’s words startled his nephew as with an electrical shock. Reaching his uncle’s side at a stride, he grasped his arm, and said sternly, and almost fiercely, ‘What is this, uncle? Is this folly still so strong within you? How came you here in the name of the gods? and in what does this wench concern you? Do you thus accost every girl you see? She is nothing but a potter’s girl of Surrentum.’ ‘Stay, Fabricius, you are hasty,’ spoke Tiberius; ‘let us hear what these people have to say.’ Recalled to himself, Fabricius, with his eyes yet fixed on Neæra, stepped back to a place beside Thrasullus, without deigning his nephew a look or a word. Afer’s brows met with an angry scowl, and he abruptly folded his arms across his breast, whilst muttering some hasty wrathful words. Every one looked curiously on, and, in the momentary silence which suddenly ensued, the voice of Natta was heard, in an eager undertone, speaking to his fellow‐servant. Urged by their keen interest the pair had pressed forward beyond their proper station, and were peering through the circle of their superiors at Neæra. The old steward’s demeanour was excited, but at the impatient sign of his master he and his companion fell back to their proper station. ‘Noble Fabricius here, a Senator of Augustus, well known to us of old days,’ said Tiberius, ‘lost a grandchild years ago. Unable to trace her, in spite of every effort, he yet preserves hope. The likeness which you have seen is that of the mother of the lost child. Fabricius has at last, he thinks, fair grounds for supposing he has recovered the missing girl. Be it our business to inquire into the proofs.’ ‘To what purpose, uncle?’ said Afer, with angry impatience. ‘Is it not absurd to ground a belief upon a mere resemblance to a graven gem? It can only end in fruitless disgust, as hitherto. Cease to harass yourself any longer by pursuing an _ignis fatuus_; be guided by me, I pray you. Leave these impostors to me, as you were wont, and I will unmask them.’ ‘I pray you, Caesar, proceed,’ said Fabricius briefly, without taking any notice of his nephew. With an expression of unutterable disgust and anger, the knight fell back a pace or two. ‘With your permission, Caesar, I will retire,’ he said; ‘I cannot listen to this folly.’ ‘It is my will that you remain; try, therefore, and endure what shall follow,’ replied Tiberius. ‘I must obey your wish,’ said Afer, biting his lip. ‘Woman!’ said Tiberius, addressing himself to Tibia, ‘tell us your name and where you dwell. Speak without fear.’ ‘My name is Tibia, and I dwell in Surrentum,’ answered the dame. She began in low nervous tones, and then gathering courage from the conviction of her deep injuries, she proceeded more hurriedly in a louder tone, ‘My home has, however, been ruined, and my husband Masthlion——’