His voice could not penetrate the domestic hubbub.
Drusus was standing shaking hands with a couple of clients and evidently in a very good humour over some blunt rustic compliment.
Mago was nowhere to be seen.

Agias glanced up the road toward Praeneste.

The highway was straight and fairly level, but as it went over a hill-slope some little way off, what was that he saw upon it ?--the sun flashing on bright arms, which glinted out from the dust-cloud raised by a considerable number of men marching! "Drusus! Master Drusus!" Agias threw all his soul into the cry.

As if to blast his last hope, Drusus hastily bowed away the salves and aves of the two clients, turned, and went into the villa.

Agias groaned in agony.