I could never be tired of admiring them." "And your wife ?" asked Lucilla, facing him, sternly.

"My wife?
yes, my fairest.

Wife is a solemn title of honor and has nothing to do with the joys of life.

How could I mention your name in the same hour with those of the poor children who help me to beguile an idle hour." Domitia Lucilla was used to such phrases, and yet on this occasion they gave her a pang.

But she concealed it, and crossing her arms she said resolutely and with dignity: "Go your way--through life with your Ovid, and your gods of love, but do not attempt to crush innocence under the wheels of your chariot." "Balbilla do you mean," asked the praetor with a loud laugh.