“Listen,” he said, in a tone of strange timidity: “With regard to our journey to-morrow to Ostia, I have a proposal to make to you. It is very true, that the mere fact that I am sending my ship off on her return to Trajectum is a sufficient reason--still--people might.... To be plain with you, my intimacy with Nerva and Cinna has attracted notice in certain quarters--I fear I may be watched, and therefore it would perhaps be better to give the whole affair the aspect of a pleasure excursion--if you only could persuade your sister, and perhaps your betrothed to accompany us. I have such a perfect disguise for Eurymachus, that neither of the young ladies can have the faintest suspicion. Besides--who troubles himself about a slave? It seems to me the plan is as admirable as it is simple.” “It is masterly!” exclaimed Quintus. “Cornelia is crazy about the sea, and Claudia and Lucilia will have no objections. If only the weather improves...” “Oh! the day will be splendid,” said Aurelius, going into the hall. “The wind has quite gone down, and the clouds are parting. I asked Magus just now.” “The idea is delightful. The more openly and boldly we go to work, the better. About what hour should we start?” “I thought about three hours after sunrise.” “Very good. I will let Cornelia and my sisters know; the rest I leave entirely to you, my dear Caius.” “You shall not be disappointed,” said Aurelius, radiant with satisfaction. “And where shall we meet? Out beyond the tomb of Cestius?” “It will perhaps be better that you should come here, and we will proceed all together to the place where vehicles wait; that will look least suspicious and most natural.” “So be it: we will go to the gates in a little party. Now farewell--I am very tired, and wish I had my litter.” “Shall I...?” Aurelius began. “I should think so indeed! What! risk all that our exertions have so far accomplished for the sake of my selfish limbs! Nay, nay. I shall live through it, never fear. Farewell again, my dear Aurelius.” The friends embraced. Blepyrus, awakened by Herodianus, who lent him a dry cloak, came dizzy with sleep, down the corridor and followed his master with a faint groan. Quintus, in spite of all he had gone through, walked on fresh and eager, and in five minutes they were at home. FOOTNOTES: [353] THE CLAUDIAN AQUEDUCT (_Aqua Claudia._) Built by the Emperor Claudius 50 A.D. was twelve miles and a half long, and reached to Sublaqueum, (now Subiaco.) [354] AQUA MARCIA. Built 146 B.C. by the Praetor Q. Marcius Rex, was twelve miles long, and extended to the Sabine Hills. Its water was considered the best in all Rome. Ruins of it, as well as of the Aqua Claudia, exist at the present day. [355] THE LABICANIAN WAY. (_Via Labicana_) led through Toleria, Ferentinum, Frusino and Fregellae to Teanum (north of Capua) where it entered the Via Appia.