Part 9 (2/2)
”We will talk of Livius,” said Marcia
Leaning on his elbows, Livius glared at Caia Poppeia, Marcia's cohed, to draw attention to her, but Marcia refused to take the hint ”Livius has information for us,” she remarked
Livius rose froers together behind his back, co himself to smile His pallor made the hastily applied cosmetics look ridiculous
”Marcia,” he said, ”you make it obvious that you suspect”You indiscreet? Who would believe it? Give us an example of discretion; you are Paris in the presence of three Goddesses Select your destiny!”
He sain his norlanced about hi iridescent pools of fire within a crystal ball set on the fountain's edge-took up the ball and brought it to her, holding it in both hands
”What choice is there than that which Paris”Venus rules men's hearts She ive my destiny”
”You mean, you leave it there!” said Marcia ”Could you ever afford to ignore uing person of your acquaintance, Marcia,” he answered, rising because the hard mosaic pavenified But nity he loved discretion; he wished there were eyes in the back of his head, to see whether slaves atching fro on the inner court ”It is my policy,” he went on, ”to know ! I a by what I have seen of those who indulge in it”
”Is that why you sacrificed a white bull recently?” asked Marcia
Livius glanced at Cornificia, but her patrician face gave no hint Caia Poppeia's was less under control, for she was younger and had nothing to conceal; she was inquisitively enjoying the entertain
”I sacrificed a white bull to Jupiter Capitolinus, as is customary, to confirm a sacred oath,” he answered
”Very well, suppose you break the oath!” said Marcia
He ed to look scandalized-then chuckled foolishly, re what Pertinax had said about the value of an oath; but his own dignity obliged him to protest
”I a hih to hold that an oath made at the altar of our Roman Jupiter is sacred and inviolable”
”When you took your oath of office you swore to be in all things true to Caesar,” Marcia retorted ”Do you prefer to tell Caesar how true you have been to that oath? Which oath holds the first one or the second?”
”I could ask to be released froive h interrupted him It was soft,unseen reefs
”Time,” she said, ”Is all that death needs! Death does not wait on oaths; it comes to us I wish to know just how far I can trust you, Livius”
Nine Ronized at once the deadliness of the alternatives she offered and, preserving so of the shreds of pride, would have accepted suicide as preferable Livius had no such stamina He seized the other horn of the dilemma
”I perceive Pertinax has betrayedsharply at Cornificia; but she atching Marcia and did not seelance ”If Pertinax has broken his oath, er binds me This is the fact then: I discovered how he helped sextus, son of Maxi believe to be killed Pertinax was also privy to the execution of an unknown thief in place of Norbanus, a friend of sextus, also iotiating with sextus ever since sextus now calls hihwayman”
”What else do you know about Maternus?” Marcia inquired There was a trace at last of sharpness in her voice A hint conveyed itself that she could summon the praetorians if he did not ansiftly
”He plots against Caesar”
”You know too little or too much!” said Marcia ”What else?”