“A hideous dream,” said Baucis. “And when I question my heart, it seems to me that it bodes evil.” “Folly!” laughed Lucilia. “I have dreamed worse things than that a hundred times, and no great event has ever happened to me. What does it mean? Why, that you were lying uncomfortably, or had read something the day before....” Cornelia rose gravely. “My dearest, you are not cross with me?” cried Lucilia following her. “Not at all,” said Cornelia with a polite smile. “No, indeed, certainly not,” she added less coldly, as her eyes met Lucilia’s affectionate glance. “Come, let us be moving. Such discourse ill-beseems a festival, and to-day is to be a festival, my birthday.” Meanwhile Caius Aurelius had found a pretext--in agreement with his promise to Cinna--for taking Quintus Claudius into his host’s study, and a minute later Cinna himself came in, accompanied by Marcus Cocceius Nerva. “At last!” cried Cinna when all were seated. “It has been sticking in my throat like a mouthful of poison. Quintus, you too must hear what I have to say. The facts are perhaps known to you, for the house of Titus Claudius is intimately allied with the palace....” “I know nothing, I can assure you,” interrupted Quintus, somewhat coldly. “Well then, hear them now. I know you to be a young man of proved courage and of excellent understanding.--Until now you have taken the darkness for light and bitter for sweet, as not discerning them; your father’s strong spirit has influenced you, and his errors of judgment have descended to you. But now, my friend, use your own judgment, and ask yourself on your honor: Is Rome still Rome?” “You really excite my curiosity,” said the young man, with more reserve than ever. Cornelius Cinna shut the doors; then he went on in a mysterious and trembling voice: “It was last night. Happily for you, Nerva, your ailing health had taken you into the country, and so saved you from the worst. I was lying in bed, but I could not sleep; I was tormented by a ceaseless whirl of confused thoughts, and was on the point of calling to Charicles, that he might read to me. Suddenly I heard heavy blows on the house door.... ‘Porter, wake up, make haste, a message from Caesar!’” Cocceius Nerva leaned forward eagerly in his chair; his breath came quicker and deeper as he listened. Cornelius Cinna went on. “My bedroom door was opened, so I heard every word. I heard the porter refuse admittance. ‘Caesar requires your master’s presence at the palace,’ said a voice outside. I sprang up and ordered him to open the door. I had hardly time to throw on my toga, when Caesar’s messengers came into the atrium--men at arms belonging to the praetorian guard. ‘Our god and master Domitian[248] requires you to attend immediately,’ said the officer. ‘Is the state in danger?’ I asked angrily. The soldier shrugged his shoulders; ‘I do not know,’ he said; ‘our orders are to fetch you; no reasons were given. Do not delay, noble Cinna, the litter is at the door.’”