Titianus had ordered his charioteer to drive at once to Lochias.

The road led past the prefect's palace, his residence on the Bruchiom, and he paused there; for the letter which lay hidden in the folds of his toga, contained news, which, within a few hours, might put him under the necessity of not returning home till the following morning.

Without allowing himself to be detained by the officials, subalterns, or lictors, who were awaiting his return to make communications, or to receive his orders, he went straight through the ante-room and the large public rooms for men, to find his wife in the women's apartments which looked upon the garden.

He met her at the door of her room, for she had heard his step approaching and came out to receive him.
"I was not mistaken," said the matron with sincere pleasure.

"How pleasant that you have been released so early to-day.