Before Titianus could open his lips to reply, the principal door of the room was opened cautiously but widely, and the praetor Lucius Aurelius Verus, his wife Domitia Lucilla, the young Balbilla and, last of all, Annaeus Florus, the historian, entered.

All four were in the best spirits, and immediately after the preliminary greetings, were eager to report what they had seen at Lochias; but Sabina waved silence with her hand, and breathed out: "No, no; not at present.

I feel quite exhausted.

This long waiting, and then--my smelling-bottle, Verus.

Leukippe, bring me a cup of water with some fruit-syrup--but not so sweet as usual." The Greek slave-girl hastened to execute this command, and the Empress, as she waved an elegant bottle carved in onyx, under her nostrils, went on: "It is a little eternity--is it not, Titianus, that we have been discussing state affairs?
You all know how frank I am and that I cannot be silent when I meet with perverse opinions.