And he once more glanced up at the blue sky, as though he grudged having to exchange the airy peristyle for the senate-house. Then, waving them a farewell, he went off to his own rooms.
"But he is a perfect horror, all the same," Lucilia repeated, when her father was out of hearing. "I can tell you, Mother dear, I could not kiss him for a thousand millions, much less marry him! And is this long-nosed, weak-kneed creature to be the husband of our Claudia?"
"Silence, silly child," said Octavia with affected severity. "Your father's will is our law. He has his own reasons for whatever he decides on."
"You are only making believe," said Lucilia. "You know you like him no better than I do, and you, too, grieve over the odious fancy...."
"Well ... is one to bite one's tongue out simply from respect of persons? My father often has fancies. What should Claudia have to do with that wooden simpleton? And he is as cowardly as a whimpering woman! Cornelia told me so--she heard it from her uncle."
"It is not every one, that has the headstrong spirit of Cinna."
"A Scythian, who simply cut down all before him, his wife into the bargain, rather than a milksop, that you can knock down with a feather!"
"You know nothing about it, child. But where is Claudia? Why has she left us?"
"She has gone to her own room, I daresay, to cry there. Since yesterday, when my father told her of his determination, she has practised such complete self-control, that her grief must have its way at last."
But Lucilia was mistaken. Claudia had followed her father, and went into his room close on his heels.
"What do you want?" he asked in surprise, seeing his daughter stand before him, pale, calm, and stately.
"I have a confession to make to you, which has been on my lips ever since yesterday."
"Well?" said the high-priest, hardly attending.
"Child, I have no time now for any discussions; in twenty minutes...."
"I will not detain you." The Flamen signed to the slaves, who disappeared with an enquiring glance at the young girl's unusually serious face and manner.
"Now--what have you to say?" he asked, when they were alone.
"Father," said Claudia in a low, but resolute tone, "I cannot marry Sextus Furius."
"An excellent reason! Why, you hardly know him; try first to understand his worth."