“Well, what do you say to that?” asked Titianus, taking the letter from his wife’s hand.  “Is it not more than vexatious—­our work was going on so splendidly.”

“But,” said Julia thoughtfully and with a meaning smile.  “Perhaps it might not have been finished in time.  As matters now stand it need not be complete, and Hadrian will see the good intention all the same.  I am glad about the letter, for it takes a great responsibility off your otherwise overloaded shoulders.”

“You always see the right side,” cried the prefect.  “It is well that I came home, for I can await Caesar with a much lighter heart.  Let me lock up the letter, and then farewell.  This parting is for some hours from you, and from all peace for many days.”

Titianus gave her his hand.  She held it firmly and said: 

“Before you go I must confess to you that I am very proud.”

“You have every right to be.”

“But you have not said a word to me about keeping silence.”

“Because you have kept other tests—­still, to be sure, you are a woman, and a very handsome one besides.”

“An old grandmother, with grey hair!”

“And still more upright and more charming than a thousand of the most admired younger beauties.”

“You are trying to convert my pride into vanity, in my old age.”

“No, no!  I was only looking at you with an examining eye, as our talk led me to do, and I remembered that Sabina had lamented that handsome Julia was not looking well.  But where is there another woman of your age with such a carriage, such unwrinkled features, so clear a brow, such deep kind eyes, such beautifully-polished arms—­”

“Be quiet,” exclaimed his wife.  “You make me blush.”

“And may I not be proud that a grandmother, who is a Roman, as my wife is, can find it so easy to blush?  You are quite different from other women.”

“Because you are different from other men.”

“You are a flatterer; since all our children have left us, it is as if we were newly married again.”

“Ah! the apple of discord is removed.”

“It is always over what he loves best that man is most prompt to be jealous.  But now, once more, farewell.”

Titianus kissed his wife’s forehead and hurried towards the door; Julia called him back and said: 

“One thing at any rate we can do for Caesar.  I send food every day down to the architect at Lochias, and to-day there shall be three times the quantity.”

“Good; do so.”

“Farewell, then.”

“And we shall meet again, when it shall please the gods and the Emperor.”

........................

When the prefect reached the appointed spot, no vessel with a silver star was to be seen.

The sun went down and no ship with three red lanterns was visible.