‘I spoke without thinking,’ she replied, with a careless shrug; ‘I mean nothing—what could I?’ ‘A careless and dangerous habit, and one to be guarded against.’ ‘Psa! it is excusable in a woman.’ ‘In some—in most perhaps; but there are many—and I include yourself amongst them, beautiful Plautia—whose brains move busily before their tongues wag.’ ‘Ah me!’ sighed the lady impatiently, ‘why did I allow the one for once to get before the other? And though you should turn inquisitor, and bring hither your judicial chair, you will make no more of the matter.’ She stamped her foot with a charming affectation of wrath, and he smiled grimly. ‘I shall not make the attempt,’ he answered; ‘I am content to think that Plautia is wise and prudent. Come! what lies beneath all this?’ ‘Why, see how you are at fault—something I do mean truly!’ she cried, clapping her hands with glee. ‘Do you suppose I ever thought otherwise?’ he rejoined, rather puzzled. ‘No, most subtle of men; but your suspicions lie in a different groove. What care I for your Livia, or Caesar himself, or the windings of your politics, or the bubblings of your ambition—for you have ambition, Prefect, and a goodly share thereof——’ ‘Let him herd with oxen who has not.’ ‘I care nothing for these; I am too content with, and intent upon, the affairs of my own small world——’ ‘Which is the rosy realm of Venus—go on!’ quoth he drily; ‘we shall, probably, now hear what this has to do with Tiberius. He is an old pensioner of the bright goddess.’ ‘Fool—nothing whatever! I want to know who is going with you to Capreae.’ ‘You have taken a strange method of proceeding in your quest. I shall not tell you, sweet lady; you may await the tidings of that same trusty bird again.’ ‘I know already.’ ‘Wonders upon wonders! The gods preserve you to the earth! Wherefore did you ask, then?’ ‘To catch you tripping, if possible.’ ‘I should grieve to disappoint you, beauteous Plautia, astute as you are lovely; but I cannot avoid it, for I know not myself who are to be my companions.’ ‘Miserable deceiver—I expose you at once! A Centurion and a troop of guards go with you.’ ‘This is folly; you have spent the day with children,’ he said, bursting into a laugh. ‘I give you full credit for your penetration. Martialis and his myrmidons certainly go along with me. Could a Prefect depart on a mission without his trusty Pretorians? Who next?’ ‘Pray tell me, Prefect!’ she wheedled. ‘I have already told you I know not myself, and, therefore, cannot tell.’ ‘Then I will—_I am going with you!_’ The wily Prefect started back, and fairly opened his mouth in dumb astonishment. ‘What! You! Go to Capreae—with me!’ Plautia set her lips firmly and bowed gravely. ‘Pooh! pooh! you are losing your wits!’ he said, with scornful incredulity, and then he burst into laughter. She watched him calmly until he had finished. ‘I am not going thither because I am unable to exist without you,’ she remarked quietly.