"How we will be revenged on that rascal, Pratinas! O Destiny, thy decrees are just!" Again Agias expostulated, and at last brought out of Pisander a tolerably coherent account of the conversation which he had heard between Valeria and Pratinas.

Then, indeed, the merry slave-boy was troubled.

Accustomed to a rather limited ambition in life, he had attached himself with implicit devotion to Cornelia; first because his preserver, Drusus, had so enjoined him, and second because each day he grew more drawn to her personally.

The peril which yawned before the unfortunate Drusus menaced at the same time the happiness of his mistress and his own welfare,--for if Lucius Ahenobarbus had his way, Agias himself would become the slave of that not very gentle patrician.

Cornelia and Drusus had had troubles enough before; but in the present crisis, actual destruction stared Agias's saviour in the face.