“Cornelia,” said Quintus, at length, “you are still a very young woman.  This day’s heart-breakings may, perhaps, be long painful to you; but the pangs will grow faint in time.  You and I may still cherish fondness in our hearts for each other, but how dare we reasonably hope for more?  Evil times are at hand.  If your uncle’s party prevail in the struggle, my ruin is assured.  But not yours.  There are many worthy men who would be proud to take in marriage the niece of the next consul; and with one of these you can live happily.  Do not try to forget me.  I don’t ask that.  But do not let my misfortune cast a shadow over your dear life.  Marry some honourable man.  Only think kindly of me sometimes.”

They had been sitting beside the brooklet, on the soft green-sward.  Cornelia had been resting both her hands in Drusus’s, but now she drew them back, and sprang to her feet, as if swept away by a gust of anger.

“How dare you!” she cried, “how dare you bid me throw away all that my heart has turned on, and my hopes depended on, and my imagination dreamed of, since our fathers were slain side by side; and more especially since you came back from Athens?  Why might not I bid you renounce your adherence to Caesar’s cause, and say, ’There is no need of blasting your career by such a sacrifice; remember Caesar and his party kindly, wish them well, but do not dwell too much thereon; submit cheerfully to what is inevitable’?  Shall I argue thus?  Have I argued thus?  If you will, abandon me, and wed some other maiden, and many there are, fair, wealthy, noble, who will be glad to be given in marriage to a Livius Drusus.  But till you thus repudiate your father’s will, no power of gods or of men shall drive me to violate that of mine.”

“Cornelia,” said Drusus, in a husky voice, “do you know what you are saying?  What resistance to threats and unkind treatment your resolve will mean?”

“I both know the future and accept it,” answered the maiden firmly, looking fairly into his face.

“Then by all the powers of earth, sky, and Hades!” cried the young man, lifting one arm toward heaven, and throwing the other about his sweetheart, “I will defy Lentulus, defy Pompeius, defy Senate, army, mob, or any other human might.  Hitherto I have thought to play the patriot in espousing Caesar’s cause.  Now let love and fury fire my ardour.  When the party of violence and tyranny falls, then too will fall the power of Lentulus to outrage your right and mine!  Ours shall be a triumph of Venus as well as of Mars, and until that time, may you and I endure faithful unto our fathers, ourselves, and one another!”

Hardly had he spoken ere loud voices were heard calling through the grove.  Torches were glaring among the trees, and the harsh tones of Lentulus burst out:—­

“Take the wretched girl into the house when you find her; but as for her lover, let him not escape!”

“My uncle!” groaned Cornelia, quivering with terror; “one of my maids has betrayed me!  Flee! run!  He has called out all his slaves; they will kill you!”