In order to reach the Via Sacra, they passed the Flaminian Circus, walked in the beautiful pillared porticos of Philippus and Octavia, passed the Theatre of Marcellus, went through the Porta Triumphalis, in the Servian wall, and entered the Forum near the Basilica Julia. The Forum was crowded. The lovers worked their way through the busy and noisy throng, and were soon among the shops that bordered the Via Sacra. “What shall I buy thee, O Psyche?” asked Gyges, when they stopped before a jeweller’s shop. “Nothing, my Gyges. I wish only to look at the beautiful objects displayed here.” “But buying a jewel hinders thee not from regarding it with admiration.” “True, O Gyges,” said Psyche, smiling; “but there are many things for which I have no use. Look at that chain with the small gold links and the hyacinth stones in the centre! Is not that graceful?” “It may be.” “Why ‘may be,’ O Gyges?” “I am no judge of ornament, O Psyche,” replied Gyges, “unless it be a decoration for harness or chariot. Sculpture interests me more. Thine enthusiasm, however, pleases me more than the jewelry. Of a truth, dost thou like the chain with the hyacinth stones?” “’Tis beautiful. Thinkest thou it is very costly?” “Shall I ask?” he suggested. “Nay, nay,” returned Psyche, with a smile. “Raise not the jeweller’s hopes. What heavy ear-rings are being worn now! Wouldst thou not think that they would tear the ear? Jewelry is not adornment when it disfigures. Dost thou not think so?” “Ear-rings please me not,” said Gyges. “Are not those hair-nets and bands pretty?” “Ay, my Gyges. But look!” she added quickly. “There is a ring like the one thou didst buy me. Dost thou remember the day we saw a similar one in a shop in the Suburra? Thou didst ask the price. Was not the amount one-half what thou didst pay here? Thou wert angry that day.” “Truly, not angry!” he protested. “Perchance thou wert provoked,” she playfully remarked. “Truly, however, we know that no inferior jewelry is sold here. Thou wilt never know how proud I was when I heard that my ring was bought here,--in this shop which senators and wealthy men patronize. Look there, Gyges! What a beautiful set of jewels is being shown that--” “Softly, my Psyche,” interrupted Gyges. “The purchaser of those jewels is Nero.” “What! Nero, who is soon to assume the manly habit?” “Ay, my Psyche. Wouldst thou like to have a set like that?” “Ornament does not make people happy, my Gyges,” said Psyche, as they left the jeweller’s shop. “I am happier dressed in plain clothes, with no ornament, than the women who recline amidst soft cushions, and who are so loaded with jewels that they have to be assisted when they walk. But look yonder! What a quantity of silk that matron has bought! Doubtless a daughter is to be wed.”