"But such birds are not for our net." "Are not ?" repeated Gabinius, a little sharply.

"What makes you so sure of that ?" "I hardly think that you will find my dear friend Quintus Drusus's aunt, for so I understand she is," said Ahenobarbus, "very likely to reciprocate your devotion." "And why not ?" reiterated Gabinius, in a vexed tone.
"My dear fellow," answered Lucius, "I won't argue with you.

There are plenty of women in Rome quite as handsome as Fabia, and much younger, who will smile on you.

Don't meddle in a business that is too dangerous to be profitable." But Gabinius had been wrought up to a pitch of amorous excitement, from which Ahenobarbus was the last one to move him.

For days he had haunted the footsteps of the Vestal; had contrived to thrust himself as near to her in the theatre and circus as possible; had bribed one of the Temple servants to steal for him a small panel painting of Fabia; had, in fact, poured over his last romance all the ardour and passion of an intense, violent, uncontrolled nature.