THE ROBE by Unknown Read Free Book Online

had given the Senate
the full benefit of his accumulated dissatisfactions. Cornelia had no need to
ask Paula why she was so concerned. Paula didn't want Senator Gallio to get
himself into trouble with the Crown. In the first place, it would be awkward
for Diana to continue her close friendship with Lucia if the latter's eminent
parent persisted in baiting Prince Gaius. And, too, was there not a
long-standing conspiracy between Paula and Cornelia to encourage an alliance of
their houses whenever Diana and Marcellus should become romantically aware of
each other?
    Paula had not hinted at these considerations when informing Cornelia
that the Senator was cutting an impressive figure on some pretty thin ice, but
she had gone so far as to remind her long-time friend that Prince Gaius--while
notably unskillful at everything else--was amazingly resourceful and ingenious
when it came to devising reprisals for his critics.
    'But what can I do about it?' Cornelia had moaned languidly. 'Surely
you're not hoping that I will rebuke him. My husband would not like to have
people telling him what he may say in the Senate.'
    'Not even his wife?' Paula arched her patrician brows.
    'Especially his wife,' rejoined Cornelia. 'We have a tacit understanding
that Marcus is to attend to his profession without my assistance. My
responsibility is to manage his home.'
    Paula had grinned dryly; and, shortly after, had taken her departure,
leaving behind her a distressing dilemma. Cornelia wished that the Senator
could be a little less candid. He was such an amiable man when he wanted to be.
Of course, Gaius was a waster and a fool; but--after all--he was the Prince
Regent, and you didn't have to call him names in public assemblies. First thing
you knew, they'd all be blacklisted. Paula Gallus was far too prudent to let
Diana become involved in their scrapes. If the situation became serious, they
wouldn't be seeing much more of Diana. That would be a great grief to Lucia.
And it might affect the future of Marcellus, too. It was precious little
attention he had paid to the high-spirited young Diana, but Cornelia was still
hopeful.
    Sometimes she worried, for a moment or two, about Marcellus. One of her
most enjoyable dreams posed her son on a beautiful white horse, leading a
victorious army through the streets, dignifiedly acknowledging the plaudits of
a multitude no man could number. To be sure, you didn't head that sort of
parade unless you had risked some perils; but Marcellus had never been a
coward. All he needed was a chance to show what kind of stuff he was made of.
He would probably never get that chance now. Cornelia cried bitterly; and
because there was no one else to talk to about it, she bared her heart to
Lucia. And Lucia, shocked by her mother's unprecedented display of emotion, had
tried to console her.
    But today, Cornelia had quite disposed of her anxiety; not because the
reason for it had been in any way relieved, but because she was temperamentally
incapable of concentrating diligently upon anything--not even upon a threatened
catastrophe.

    About four o'clock (Cornelia was in her luxurious sitting-room, gently
combing her shaggy terrier) the Senator entered and without speaking dropped
wearily into a chair, frowning darkly.
    'Tired?' asked Cornelia, tenderly. 'Of course you are. That long ride.
And you were disappointed with the Hispanian horses, I think. What was the
matter with them?'
    'Marcellus has been ordered into service,' growled Gallio, abruptly.
    Cornelia pushed the dog off her lap and leaned forward interestedly.
    'But that is as it should be, don't you think? We had expected that it
might happen some day. Perhaps we should be glad. Will it take him far away?'
    'Yes.' The Senator nodded impressively. 'Far away. He has been ordered
to command the fort at Minoa.'
    'Command! How very nice for him! Minoa! Our son is to be the
commander--of the Roman fort--at Minoa! We shall be proud!'
    'No!' Gallio shook his white head. 'No!' We