Ahenobarbus wrote of wars and rumours of wars, but in a tone of such partisan venom and overreaching sarcasm touching all things Caesarian, that Cornelia did not need her prejudices to tell her that Lucius was simply abusing her credulity.
Then at last all the letters stopped.

Phaon had no explanation to give.

He would not suffer his evil, smiling lips to tell the story of the flight of the oligarchs from Rome, and confess that Lentulus and Claudia were no farther off than Capua.

The consul had ordered that his niece should not know of their proximity and its cause,--lest she pluck up hope, and all his coercion be wasted.

So there was silence, and that was all.