The old general, though he liked to show command over himself, took it with a somewhat trembling hand, and began to read as hastily as if it were a question of his whole house.
All at once his face darkened, as if a shadow from a passing cloud had fallen on it.
"Read," said he, turning to Pomponia.
Pomponia took the letter and read as follows:-- "Marcus Vinicius to Aulus Plautius greeting.

What has happened, has happened by the will of Caesar, before which incline your heads, as I and Petronius incline ours." A long silence followed..