Marsyas leaned his elbows on his knees and a line appeared between his level brows, marking the growing change from the thought of youth to the thought of man. "Lady," he said gravely, after a pause, "it was Flaccus and not Agrippa that did the bloodthirsty deeds back of the Temple of Rannu; and it was I--and not Agrippa, that dinted the Roman's chest!" "What?" she ejaculated, springing up to lay hand on his arm. "Thou!" "Flaccus led Agrippa into a trap and stabbed him in the back," he went on, "and I struck the blow that laid Flaccus low. And Agrippa was taken aboard his ship that night, with a knife wound between his shoulders, wholly ignorant of the identity of his assailant--until I told him--three days out at sea!" After a long silence, she said softly: "And that was thine errand--for Flora!" Without a tremor he inclined his head in assent. "Nay, then," she began again, after another pause, "what more dost thou know? How much of this tale thou heardest so deceitfully is incorrect history?" "Enough of Flaccus," he parried, smiling. "Tell me of--Classicus." Junia leaned back in her chair and laughed a little at his evasion. "Classicus? Classicus is a knave, one lacking invention, but not executive ability--wanting cunning, not courage. Now he leads us to believe that he examines a new religion--that same heresy for which he plunged thee into the Rhacotis peril. Some one put him up to it--mark me. Thus, he hopes to recant his fault against thee, for which the little Lysimachus was most unbending to him!" "And Lydia?" he asked in a low tone. Her softened eyes, steadily contemplating the yellow light on the leaves of a huge plantain growing near her, narrowed. "Lydia?" she repeated thoughtfully. "Oh, Lydia dances and studies and makes ready for her marriage with Classicus." One of those utter silences fell, which mark the announcement of critical news. After it, Marsyas arose. "I have profited by my visit," he said, in that soft and silken voice which she had never heard before and did not understand. "I thank thee for thy counsel--and thy news." He extended her his hand, and she looked at him, feeling that it was not steady. "And thou wilt come again before I go?" she went on. "We are summoned to Capri where my father hath been recently made a minister to Tiberius. Come again, and let me lead thee back to thine old self." "Perchance," he said evenly, "I have uselessly troubled myself to change." He pressed her hand and passed out. At the threshold of her portals, he met Agrippa. "Perpol!" the prince cried. "Hast thou supplanted me here, too?" But Marsyas smiled painfully and went on. Agrippa looked after him. "Nay, now: the boy is as pale as ivory!" he ruminated. "That is an honest youth, and Junia must let him alone." CHAPTER XXIII A LETTER AND A LOSS