“My lady has fainted!” cried Psyche. “Quick! Help me! Give me some water!” The officer poured some wine from a small flagon into a wooden cup. He pushed the cup between the curtains. After a few drops of wine were poured between the lips of Agrippina, she gradually became conscious. The dust having slightly settled, the curtains were drawn aside. “Cannot this cruel ride be stopped?” asked Agrippina, weakly. “We cannot stop until we arrive at Terracina,” answered the officer. “But why such haste? Wouldst thou kill us both?” “My orders are unmistakable: ‘Proceed, without stopping, to Terracina.’” “Ay, but who gave these cruel orders?” “I know not.” “Hast thou forgotten that along this road I did bear the ashes of Germanicus? Then the people and the soldiers were in mourning. To-day the same soldiers who wept when they saw the widow of that great man deny her a cup of water and a little shade. There is a tavern not far from this stream. Where dost thou procure fresh horses?” “At that same tavern, my lady,” said the officer, beginning to show some sympathy. [Illustration] “There let us rest and cool ourselves,” she pleaded. Ignoring the petition, he asked, “Art thou better?” “Ay, but weak. Take from me these fetters.” “That I cannot do.” “Dost thou fear that I shall escape?” “Nay; but the shackles must be worn until Pandataria is reached.” “But the hands of this child are free,” she protested. “Ay, but I cannot help thee. Come!” he said, speaking to his soldiers. “Forward!” The curtains were drawn together, and the party continued on their way. The prisoners suffered in silence until they arrived at a small inn where the horses were changed. Then they were allowed to alight. But the water they found there was brackish; the wine bitter. Immediately after the horses were changed, the order to proceed was given. As they neared Terracina, the air cooled by the sea gradually began to invigorate them. It was near evening when they neared this small town; but here they were again compelled to move on. They were led down the steep cliffs of Terracina to the shore, placed in a small boat, and rowed to a vessel that awaited them. They were soon on their way to Pandataria. Refreshed by the salt breezes, Agrippina and Psyche sat upon the deck of the vessel and watched the smooth sea reflecting the setting sun. The great orb was just hovering in glory over the waters, and the skies were aglow with small flaming clouds, clustered near the horizon. The peace that always comes with the sunset hour brooded over the waters. “What island may that be yonder?” asked Agrippina, turning to the officer who stood near them. “Ponza, my lady.” “Ah! ’Tis the island where they have imprisoned Nero.” She looked in the opposite direction and saw another island. “What is that one named?” “Ischia.” “Near Capri?” she asked, thinking of the emperor in that beautiful retreat. “Ay, my lady.”