“Oh, I am so glad!” cried Cornelia, cheerily.  “I am so pleased you wish to make everything agreeable for Quintus and for me!”

“I hope so,” was the rather gloomy response.

Presently Drusus was seen coming up the shaded path at a very brisk stride.  He had been playing at fencing with old Mamercus, and his face was all aglow with a healthy colour; there was a bright light in his eye.  When he saw Cornelia in the doorway he gave a laugh and broke into a run, which brought him up to her panting and merry.

Then as he saw Lentulus he paused, half ashamed of his display of boyish ardour, and yet, with a smile and a gracious salutation, asked the older man if he was enjoying good health, and congratulated him on his election.

The consul-designate was a little disarmed by this straightforward mode of procedure.  He dropped unuttered the elaborate exordium he had been preparing on the tendency of young men to be led astray by speciously pleading schemers, and found himself replying mildly to questions about himself and various old friends of his, whom Drusus had known as a boy before he went to Athens.  But finally the young man interrupted this pacific discourse with the query:—­

“And, most noble Lentulus, what is the business on which you sent for me?  So far as I am able, the uncle of Cornelia has but to command.”

Lentulus glanced at Claudia, as if expecting her to open a delicate subject; but that excellent lady only fingered her palla,[80] and gave vent to a slight cough.  Cornelia, whose fears had all passed away, stood beside Drusus, with one arm resting on his shoulder, glancing pertly from one man to the other.  Lentulus began:—­

  [80] A shawl worn over the stola.

“I am very sorry to tell you, Quintus, that I fear your wedding with Cornelia cannot be celebrated as soon as you hoped.”

“Must be postponed!” exclaimed the young man, in alarm; and Cornelia dropped her arm, and stared at her uncle in dismay.

“I fear so,” said Lentulus, dryly.  “I have done my best to husband the fortune Caius left his daughter; but, as perhaps you know, I invested a very large part of it in the tax farming syndicate for farther Spain.  The speculation seemed safe, but local wars have so reduced the profits that they amount to nothing, and it will be some time before the principal is set free.  Of course, in ordinary times I would make up the sum from my own means, but I have had very heavy expenses lately; consequently, I fear you cannot marry Cornelia until I am in a position to pay over her dowry.”

Drusus burst out into a hearty, boyish laugh.

“My dear uncle,” cried he, “for do let me call you so, I would have you know that when I take Cornelia I have dowry sufficient.  Thanks to old Vibulanus’s will, I may call myself passing wealthy.  As far as I am concerned, you may pay over the marriage portion to my heirs, if so you wish.”