And so the young man made his decision and waited the march of events.
But once at Praeneste all these forebodings were thrust into the background.

The builders and frescoers had done their work well in his villa.

A new colonnade was being erected.

Coloured mosaic floors were being laid.

The walls of the rooms were all a-dance with bright Cupids and Bacchantes--cheerful apartments for their prospective mistress.
But it was over to the country-house of the Lentuli that Drusus made small delay to hasten, there to be in bliss in company with Cornelia, "And how," he asked, after the young lady had talked of a dozen innocent nothings, "do you like Agias, the boy I sent you ?" "I can never thank you enough--at least if he is always as clever and witty as he has been since I have had him," was the reply.