“Certainly not—­of course not,” cried Balbilla.  “He must have been a splendid man, and very learned besides.”

“He was my father’s father,” said Pontius.

“Then you belong to our family,” exclaimed Balbilla, offering him a friendly hand.

“I thank you for those words,” answered Pontius.  “Now, once more, Pollux had nothing to do with that image.”

“Take my cloak, Claudia,” said the girl.  “I will sit again to the young man.”

“Not to-day—­it would spoil his work,” replied Pontius.  “I beg of you to go, and let the annoyance you so vehemently expressed die out some where else.  The young sculptor must not know that you have seen this caricature, it would occasion him much embarrassment.  But if you can return to-morrow in a calmer and more happy humor, with your lively spirit tuned to a softer key, then Pollux will be able to make a likeness which may satisfy the granddaughter of Claudius Balbillus.”

“And, let us hope, the grandson of his learned teacher also,” answered Balbilla, with a kindly farewell greeting, as she went with her companion towards the door of the hall of the Muses, where her slaves were waiting.  Pontius escorted her so far in silence, then he returned to the work-place, and safely wrapped the caricature up again in its cloths.

As he went out into the hall again, Pollux hurried up to meet him, exclaiming: 

“The Roman architect wants to speak to you, he is a grand man!”

“Balbilla was called away, and bid me greet you,” replied Pontius.  “Take that thing away for fear she should see it.  It is coarse and hideous.”

A few moments later he stood in the presence of the Emperor, who expressed the wish to play the part of listener while Balbilla was sitting.  When the architect, after begging him not to let Pollux know of the incident, told him of what had occurred in the screened-off studio, and how angry the young Roman lady had been at the caricature, which was certainly very offensive, Hadrian rubbed his hands and laughed aloud with delight.  Pontius ground his teeth, and then said very earnestly: 

“Balbilla seems to me a merry-hearted girl, but of a noble nature.  I see no reason to laugh at her.”  Hadrian looked keenly into the daring architect’s eyes, laid his hand on his shoulder, and replied with a certain threatening accent in his deep voice: 

“It would be an evil moment for you, or for any one, who should do so in my presence.  But age may venture to play with edged tools, which children may not even touch.”

CHAPTER XVIII.