To Africa, to the Orient! And she dreamed of the half-fabulous kingdoms of Assyria and Babylonia; of the splendours of Memphis and Nineveh and Susa and Ecbatana; of Eastern kings and Eastern gold, and Eastern pomp and circumstance of war; of Ninus, and Cyrus the Great, and Alexander; of Cheops and Sesostris and Amasis; of the hanging gardens; of the treasures of Sardanapalus; of the labyrinth of Lake Moeris; of a thousand and one things rare and wonderful.

Half was she persuaded that in the East the heart might not ache nor the soul grow cold with pain.

And all life was fair to Cornelia.

She was sure of meeting Drusus soon or late now, if so be the gods--she could not help using the expression despite her atheism--spared him in war.

She could wait; she could be very patient.