Lentulus began:-- [80] A shawl worn over the stola.
"I am very sorry to tell you, Quintus, that I fear your wedding with Cornelia cannot be celebrated as soon as you hoped." "Must be postponed!" exclaimed the young man, in alarm; and Cornelia dropped her arm, and stared at her uncle in dismay.
"I fear so," said Lentulus, dryly.

"I have done my best to husband the fortune Caius left his daughter; but, as perhaps you know, I invested a very large part of it in the tax farming syndicate for farther Spain.

The speculation seemed safe, but local wars have so reduced the profits that they amount to nothing, and it will be some time before the principal is set free.

Of course, in ordinary times I would make up the sum from my own means, but I have had very heavy expenses lately; consequently, I fear you cannot marry Cornelia until I am in a position to pay over her dowry." Drusus burst out into a hearty, boyish laugh.
"My dear uncle," cried he, "for do let me call you so, I would have you know that when I take Cornelia I have dowry sufficient.

Thanks to old Vibulanus's will, I may call myself passing wealthy.