Mamercus stood gazing after them.
"What a pity! What a pity!" he repeated to himself, "that Sextus and Caius are not alive; how they would have rejoiced in their children! Why do the fates order things as they do?
Only let them be kind enough to let me live until I hold another little Drusus on my knee, and tell him of the great battles! But the Gods forbid, Lentulus should find out speedily that his lordship has gone over to Caesar; or there will be trouble enough for both his lordship and my lady.

The consul-elect is a stubborn, bitter man.

He would be terribly offended to give his niece in marriage to a political enemy.

But it may all turn out well.
Who knows ?" And he went into the house..