[A Friend of Caesar by William Stearns Davis]@TWC D-Link bookA Friend of Caesar CHAPTER XIX 18/40
"On what errand do you come thus unseasonably, and with violence ?" Whereat, out from the little group of armed men sprang one clad in costly, jewel-set armour, like the rest, but shorter than the others, and with fair hair flowing down from his helmet on to his shoulders. "Domina, do you not know me? Do not be afraid." "Agias!" cried Cornelia, in turn giving back a step. "Assuredly," quoth the young Hellene, nothing dismayed; "and with your leave, this great man is Demetrius, my cousin, whose trade, perchance, is a little irregular, but who has come hither not so much to plunder as to save you from the clutches of his arch-enemy's son, Lucius Ahenobarbus." Cornelia staggered, and caught the curtain in the doorway to keep from falling. "Has Master Drusus sent him to me ?" she asked, very pale around the lips. "Master Drusus is at Corfinium.
No one knows what will be the issue of the war, for Pompeius is making off.
It is I who counselled my cousin to come to Baiae." "Then what will you do with me? How may I dare to trust you? Deliver myself into the hands of pirates! Ah! Agias, I did not think that _you_ would turn to such a trade!" The youth flushed visibly, even under the ruddy torchlight. "Oh, lady," he cried, "have I not always been true to you? I am no pirate, and you will not blame my cousin, when you have heard his story.
But do not fear us.
Come down to the ship--Fabia is there, waiting for you." "Fabia!" and again Cornelia was startled.
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