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Updated: August 17, 2024
The Empress would not let herself be seen by any one, not even by Balbilla, till she was completely dressed. A waiting-woman told Balbilla that Sabina would get up certainly, but that for the sake of her health she could not venture out in the night-air.
Before the fleet sailed into the Mareotic harbor of Alexandria, Pontius revealed his happy secret to the Emperor. Hadrian smiled for the first time since the death of his favorite, and desired the architect to bring Balbilla to him. "I was wrong in my interpretation of the Pythian oracle," said he, as he laid the poetess's hand in that of Pontius.
You will have a rare feast for the eye, noble Balbilla; but I beg you not to forget at the same time how many days of honest labor, what rich possessions, how many treasures earned by bitter hardship are being destroyed at this moment.
"It is unworthy," cried the matron, "so to insult a person of your position. It is to be hoped our litters are waiting outside." Pontius had overheard Balbilla's last words. He had come into the work- place without Pollux, who was still speaking to the prefect, and he said gravely as he approached Balbilla: "You have every reason to be angry, noble lady.
"It is well that you have come!" she exclaimed to the praetor. "Lentulus insists that he has seen Mastor the slave, and Balbilla declares but it is impossible!" "You think that Caesar is here?" asked Verus. "Did they tell you so too?" "No. I do not linger to talk when you require my presence and there is something important to be told just now then but you must not be alarmed."
"Yes, yes," cried Balbilla, much mollified, for she felt assured that the man who stood before her, as unflinching as if he were cast in bronze, and with an earnest frown, was speaking the truth, and that he must have some right to speak to her with such unwonted decision.
"Yes indeed, you are the principal architect of the city; Titianus, from whom we have heard of you, has told us great things of you; but how am I to account for your special interest in me?" "It is my duty to serve you if necessary, even with my life." "You," said Balbilla, puzzled. "But I never saw you till yesterday."
"Who knows what it may be?" said Claudia, as she loosened a twist in the cloths which enveloped the bust. There are often very remarkable things to be seen in such workshops. "Hey, what, it is only a woman's head! I can feel it," cried Balbilla. "But you can never tell," the older lady went on, untying a knot. "These artists are such unfettered, unaccountable beings."
You, you are that man; you and none other, for as soon as I feel you by my side I find it difficult to do what I know to be wrong. Here I am, Pontius! Will you have me with all my moods, with all my faults and weaknesses?" "Balbilla!" cried the architect, beside himself with heartfelt agitation and surprise, and he pressed her hand long and fervently to-his lips. "You will? You will take me?
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.
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