Arria met them in the atrium.

She saw not the great father of Rome, but only her lover, and ran to him with a little cry of delight.
The playful emperor mounted a chair and stood looking down at them.
"I am so small here in the presence of this great king," said he, as they turned to him.

"Were my head as high as the ceiling I am sure I should not be seen." "What long, good father ?" said Arria, bowing low.
"Love! 'Tis better, I have heard, to be ruler of one than of many.
You give him kisses, little tyrant, and me not a glance." He looked down, smiling at the pretty maiden.
"Because 'tis he I love," said she, her cheeks red with blushes, her eyes upon her sandals.

"You--you have been cruel." "I am sadly out of favor," said Augustus, playfully, stepping to the floor.

"If the great king dared, I am sure he would cut off my head, now.