"Go your way--through life with your Ovid, and your gods of love, but do
not attempt to crush innocence under the wheels of your chariot."

"Balbilla do you mean," asked the praetor with a loud laugh. "She knows
how to take care of herself and has too much spirit to let herself get
entangled in erotics. The little son of Venus has nothing to say to two
people who are such good friends as she and I are."

"May I believe you?"

"My word for it, I ask nothing of her but a kind word," cried he, frankly
offering his hand to his wife. Lucilla only touched it lightly with her
fingers and said:

"Send me back to Rome. I have an unutterable longing to see my children,
particularly the boys."

"It cannot be," said Verus. "Not at present; but in a few weeks, I
hope."

"Why not sooner?"

"Do not ask me."

"A mother may surely wish to know why she is separated from her baby in
the cradle."

"That cradle is at present in your mother's house, and she is taking care
of our little ones. Have patience, a little longer for that which I am