The cook smiled at this question, and replied that there was to be no company at all, other than Antony's ordinary party.

"But," said the cook, in explanation, "we are obliged always to prepare several suppers, and to have them ready in succession at different hours, for no one can tell at what time they will order the entertainment to be served.

Sometimes, when the supper has been actually carried in, Antony and Cleopatra will get engaged in some new turn of their diversions, and conclude not to sit down just then to the table, and so we have to take the supper away, and presently bring in another." Antony had a son with him at Alexandria at this time, the child of his wife Fulvia.

The name of the son, as well as that of the father, was Antony.

He was old enough to feel some sense of shame at his father's dereliction from duty, and to manifest some respectful regard for the rights and the honor of his mother.