um, where the centurion was waiting for him.
It was old Caius Hasta, his former subordinate and companion in British
wars.

"I greet thee, general," said he. "I bring a command, and the greeting
of Caesar; here are the tablets and the signet to show that I come in his
name."

"I am thankful to Caesar for the greeting, and I shall obey the command,"
answered Aulus. "Be welcome, Hasta, and say what command thou hast
brought."

"Aulus Plautius," began Hasta, "Caesar has learned that in thy house is
dwelling the daughter of the king of the Lygians, whom that king during
the life of the divine Claudius gave into the hands of the Romans as a
pledge that the boundaries of the empire would never be violated by the
Lygians. The divine Nero is grateful to thee, O general, because thou
hast given her hospitality in thy house for so many years; but, not
wishing to burden thee longer, and considering also that the maiden as
a hostage should be under the guardianship of Caesar and the senate, he
commands thee to give her into my hands."

Aulus was too much a soldier and too much a veteran to permit himself
regret in view of an order, or vain words, or complaint. A slight
wrinkle of sudden anger and pain, however, appeared on his forehead.
Before that frown legions in Britain had trembled on a time, and even
at that moment fear was evident on the face of Hasta. But in view of the
order, Aulus Plautius felt defenceless. He looked for some time at the
tablets and the signet; then raising his eyes to the old centurion, he
said calmly,--"Wait, Hasta, in the atrium till the hostage is delivered
to thee."

After these words he passed to the other end of the house, to the
hall called oecus, where Pomponia Graecina, Lygia, and little Aulus were
waiting for him in fear and alarm.

"Death threatens no one, nor banishment to distant islands," said he;
"still Caesar's messenger is a herald of misfortune. It is a question of
thee, Lygia."

"Of Lygia?" exclaimed Pomponia, with astonishment.

"Yes," answered Aulus.

And turning to the maiden, he began: "Lygia, thou wert reared in our
house as our own child; I and Pomponia love thee as our daughter. But
know this, that thou art not our daughter. Thou art a hostage, given
by thy people to Rome, and guardianship over thee belongs to Caesar. Now
Caesar takes thee from our house."

The general spoke calmly, but with a certain strange, unusual voice.
Lygia listened to his words, blinking, as