As far as I am concerned, you may pay over the marriage portion to my heirs, if so you wish." Lentulus seemed considerably relieved.

Claudia broke out with loud ejaculations to the effect that Drusus, she always knew, was a generous, affectionate fellow, and she loved him dearly.

Cornelia, however, looked disturbed, and presently exclaimed:-- "It isn't right, Quintus, that I should come into your house with not a sesterce in my own name, as if you had married some low farmer's daughter." "_Phy!_ pish!" replied Drusus.

"You always scold the Greeks, my good mistress, and yet, like them, you hold that a marriage between people of unequal means is unhappy.

A penny for your scruples! I have more money to-day than I know what to do with.