"It will soon be to-morrow." "And I am acquitted ?" So spoke the emperor.
"You are condemned to the company of my mother," said Arria, quickly.
She wore a tunic of the color of violets, with not a jewel.

Now she led her lover to a heap of yellow cushions in the triclinium.
"Dear Vergilius," said she, turning to him with a serious look as they sat down; "tell me again--say to me again how you love me." She held his hand against her cheek and her eyes looked into his.
"Oh, my beloved! I have thought of naught else since I saw you.

I have heard your pretty feet and the rustle of your tunic in my dreams; I have felt the touch of your hands; every moment I have seen your face--now glowing with happiness, now white and lovely with sorrow.
And, dear, I love its sorrow--I confess to you that I love its sorrow better than its happiness.

I saw in your sad eyes, then, a thing dearer than their beauty.

It told me that you felt as I feel--that you would live and, if need be, die for the love of me." The girl listened thoughtfully, and moved close to her lover; he took her in his arms.