when thou art not near me; it is not that I cease
ever to think of thee, to adore thee, but that it were unmaidenly and
overbold to tell thee of it. See, now, if I have not done so here; and my
hand trembles, and my cheek burns, and almost I expect to see the pallid
paper blush, to find itself the bearer of words so passionate as these.
But you will pardon me, and come to me forthwith, and tell me, if
anything, in what I have displeased thee.

"It is a lovely morning, and Hortensia has just learned from Caius
Bibulus, that at high noon the ambassadors of the wild Allobroges will
march in with their escort over the Mulvian Bridge. She wishes much to see
the pomp, for we are told that their stature is gigantic and their
presence noble, and their garb very wild, yet magnificent withal and
martial. Shall we go forth and see them? Hortensia will carry me in her
carpentum, and you can either ride with us on horseback, or if you be not
over proud take our reins yourself as charioteer, or, what will perhaps be
the best of all, come in your own car and escort us. I need not say that I
wish to see you _now_, for _that_ I wish always. Come, then, and quickly,
if you would pleasure your own Julia."

"Sweet girl," he exclaimed, as he finished reading it, "pure as the snow
upon Soracte, yet warm and tender as the dove. Inimitable Julia! And
I--I--Oh, ye gods! ye gods! that beheld it!" and he smote his brow heavily
with his hand, and bit his lip, till the blood almost sprang beneath the
pressure of his teeth; but recovering himself in a moment, he turned to
Thrasea--"Who brought this billet? doth he wait?"

"Phaedon, Hortensia's Greek boy, brought it, noble Paullus. He waits for
your answer in the atrium."

"Quick, then, quick, Thrasea, give me a reed and paper."

And snatching the materials he wrote hastily:

"Chance only, evil chance, most lovely Julia, and business of some weight,
restrained me from you most unwilling yesterday. More I shall tell you
when we meet--indeed all! for what can I wish to conceal from you, the
better portion of my soul. Need I say that I come--not, alas, on the wings
of my love, or I should be beside you as I write, but as quickly as the
speed of horses may whirl me to your presence; until then, fare you well,
and confide in the fidelity of Paullus."

"Give it to Phaedon," he said, tossing the note to Thrasea, "and say to
him, 'if he make not the better haste, I shall be at Hortensia's house
befor