Neæra: A Tale of Ancient Rome

by Joel Chandler Harris

  CHAPTER X.

  Not far from the shadow of the Capitoline, and nigh the Forum of Caesar,Plautia dwelt in a small, but handsome mansion. Her wealth, although notas great as that squandered by her spendthrift brother, was yet ample, andin her hands better controlled. Her entertainments were not very frequent,but, nevertheless, were famous amongst a certain set for theirenjoyableness, which was due, not alone to the exquisite fare provided,but more to the tact of the hostess in selecting her guests. We havealready attempted to describe the attractions of her brilliant, thoughvoluptuous, style of beauty. Of lovers she had no lack. Her manners withall of them were perfectly free and familiar. So misleading, that morethan one, ere now, encouraged and inflamed thereby to presumption, becamesorrowfully aware of the claws which lay sheathed in velvet.

  She was a mystery, therefore, and a tantalising one. Whispers and rumourswere perennial; but yet absolute proof was wanting to substantiate thefame which people awarded her. She, herself, was indifferent, and couldreturn as haughty and unembarrassed a stare as any which the proudestpatrician matron bent upon her. Even those individuals, proverbial for thepossession of the most secret information--namely, her handmaids anddomestics--were at fault; so secret, variable, and contrary were heractions and humours.

  One morning, two or three days later in our story, she was going forth totake the air, and she came to the porch of her house, where her litter,borne by four powerful slaves, stood awaiting her. This litter was roofedin, and of sufficient size to admit of the occupant lying at full lengthif necessary. It was also furnished with curtains, which could be drawn soas to secure perfect immunity from observation. This contrivance forconveyance, so common in ancient Rome, was standing on the ground, andPlautia stepped therein, before the admiring gaze of the pedestrians whothronged the causeway. Lydia, a young female, who was half lady's-maid,half companion, was about to follow, but her mistress waved her hand andsaid she wished to be alone that day. With that she drew the curtainspartially to hide her face and yet not to interrupt her view. The maidwithdrew into the house abashed; it was the third consecutive morning shehad been so treated; such behaviour was unwonted, and being filled withfears and doubts of all kinds, she forthwith began to weep heartily.

  The four slaves, not at all grieved to lose the weight of the discomfitedgirl, bore off their mistress toward the Esquiline Gardens. The humanbeasts of burden dared no more than exchange a fleeting look. It was,likewise, the third consecutive morning they had been given the samedirection.

  To the north of the gardens lay that portion of the plain which was calledthe field of the Viminal. This extended to the Pretorian camp, and was,therefore, the natural drill and exercising ground of the troops. Thitherthe litter of Plautia was carried by her direction; skirting the outsideof the rampart of Servius, after it had passed through the Esquiline Gate.

  There were a number of the guards in the plain, busily engaged inexercising. Approaching within convenient distance for witnessing theirmovements, the slaves were ordered to set down the litter and restthemselves. Plautia, reclining with the curtains withdrawn, scanned thecohorts eagerly and keenly. After a lengthened survey a look ofdisappointment gathered gradually on her face. She ordered her litter tobe raised, and from her elevated position once again scrutinised themoving ranks. She seemed to get no more satisfaction than before, and gavethe word to return homeward.

  The morning was bright and bracing, and the streets were full of citizens.As her litter passed through the crowded Subura it was rudely jostled in anarrow way, and in danger of being overturned by a crowd of slaves, whopreceded the litter of some presumably great personage. Amid the struggle,clamour, and curses of angry voices, the litter of Plautia was rocked andtilted, so violently, that she gave vent to a cry, more in anger thanfear. She thrust her face outside the curtains to look on the turbulentscene, and grasped the side of her litter with her hand, in imminent dreadof being thrown out. Such struggles were very common in the narrowstreets, and called for no particular interference; but the sight of herhandsome face, perhaps, inspired the friendly interference of a tall youngman, who, along with a crowd of people, had been dammed up by thecontention. He hastily thrust himself forward, and Plautia's face becamesuffused with a deep flush when she perceived it was Lucius Martialis.With one hand he grasped one of the foremost poles of her litter, andraised it, so as to allow the burly slave, who held it, to recover hisoverweighted grasp and position, whilst, with the other arm, he thrustback the foremost of the opposing menials. There was something in thestern resistless strength of the action which bade them think better oftheir uncompromising manner of proceeding, and they edged away more to oneside, though not without much abuse. In another moment both parties werefree and disentangled, and the great personage, who had never thought fitto show himself and notice the squabble, was carried on.

  Plautia's countenance was brilliant in colour, and her proud eyes soft andlustrous as they dwelt on the Centurion, who was clothed as a privatecitizen. She thanked him for his service, and her voice was tremulous andrich. He merely bowed, and muttered some commonplace words in return, and,ere she could say more, he turned away and disappeared amid the throng ofpassers-by.

  Plautia gazed after him for a few moments, and then sank back on hercushions in a deep reverie, which, judging by the smile resting on herlips, seemed pleasant enough to entertain her agreeably for a much longertime than sufficed to bring her to her own door.

  The lady entered her favourite apartment, which was pervaded by theperfume of the costly wood burning in a brazier on the hearth. Theappointments of the room were as rich and brilliant in colour as herself,and on a small carved citron-wood table stood a delicate basket,tastefully packed with the most beautiful flowers.

  Lydia took them up and presented them to her mistress, saying, 'Martialissent these with best greetings.'

  'Which Martialis--there are two?' asked Plautia, receiving them with asmile.

  'Why, Caius Martialis!' replied the handmaiden in surprise.

  'Humph!' ejaculated the lady, dropping the basket carelessly, almostflinging it on the table again. 'They are not such as please me; take themyourself. Who is that without?'

  'Glaucus, your freedman,' answered a voice at the door, 'with news!'

  'Enter, Glaucus, with your news!' cried the lady, relinquishing her outercloaks and wraps to the care of Lydia, who retired. The freedman entered--alow thick-set man, having a rough, but yet intelligent look about him.

  'Well,' said the lady, warming herself at the fire, 'what sort ofnews--private or public?'

  'I have reason to think that, at present, it is pretty well private,'replied the freedman, with an air of self-satisfaction and importance,'but ere long it will be public enough, that is very certain. I havelearned that the Prefect Sejanus has obtained Caesar's consent to hismarriage with Livia.'

  Glaucus paused, as if to allow the lady to take breath and recover fromthe effects of his communication.

  'Well,' said she, as unmoved as marble, 'is that all?'

  'All!' echoed Glaucus, staggering back in astonishment and disgust. 'Why,not half a score of people have yet heard a breath of it!'

  Plautia burst into a fit of hearty laughter as she watched the fall of hiscountenance. 'Psa, you fool!' she said, 'every one knew that the mightyPrefect was angling in the Imperial waters long ago. What reliance can Iplace on your information? Where did you get it?'

  'In the camp itself, and from the lips of the Prefect's own eunuch--Lygdushimself.'

  'Truly he might be expected to know; but he is a cunning rogue.'

  'He does know,' said Glaucus, with increasing emphasis; 'and what is morethe Prefect has been summoned, or has been granted permission, to visithis bride at Capreae, and he is going accordingly in a few days.'

  'Ah, that is something more to the purpose; that is twenty times worth theother, my Glaucus, for it looks like business.'

  'The Prefect,' continued the freedman, 'so Lygdus told
me, was only ill-pleased that Caesar would not allow more than two or three friends toaccompany him, in addition to his usual guard of Pretorians. Tiberiusseems mightily afraid of strangers in his enchanted island.'

  'Perhaps the worthy Lygdus also informed you who the favoured few friendsof the Prefect were to be? It might be interesting to know.'

  'No, noble Plautia, he did not say who was going, except, of course, theguard of Pretorians, with the first Centurion--the tall young brother ofCaius Martialis.'

  'Ah! thus much you know for certain, Glaucus?' said Plautia carelessly.

  'Yea, for Lygdus heard the order given.'

  'Well, there cannot be any better authority than that, unless the Prefectchange his mind.'

  'Truly he might.'

  'And so you cannot give me the names of the chosen companions ofSejanus?--they would be worth hearing,' said Plautia.

  'Indeed I cannot, at present, for the eunuch knew not himself; but I mighthear before long.'

  'In that case you will let me know.'

  'I shall fly, like a swallow, to acquaint you,' was the answer of thedevoted freedman.

  'You are rather thick and heavy with flesh and years to do that,' observedthe young lady satirically; 'nevertheless, I am assured you will hasten onyour legs as fast as you can. I am indebted to you for several favourslately, Glaucus----'

  'The noble Plautia deigns to be gracious to her humble freedman,' said he,smirking and bowing to the ground.

  'See you that small drawer in the citron-wood table? Open it--there is apurse within it!'

  The freedman did as he was desired with alacrity, and took out the purse.

  'Transfer the contents to your own pocket and replace the purse,' saidPlautia.

  Glaucus did so with admirable celerity, and gushed into profuseexpressions of gratitude.

  'Enough--you are a good man,' said his patroness, nodding toward the door.He took the hint and withdrew, and after a few moments' reflection,Plautia went to a writing-table, and indited the following laconicepistle:--

  'Come and see me at your earliest.'

  Sealing it up, she gave it into the hands of a slave, with instructions todeliver it to the Prefect himself, wheresoever he might find him. When theslave had gone she wrote another letter, which she destroyed as soon asshe had read it over. She composed an amended one, which shared the fateof the former, and not until four or five had been ruthlessly sacrificedto her fastidious taste, did she succeed in completing one sufficientlysatisfactory to her mind to fold up. It was put into a secret drawer, andits fair author proceeded to pass the hours with her usual occupations,which were mainly the reception of visitors, and the lengthy and elaboratebusiness of the bath.

  The time had long passed since her slave had returned from his errand, andhis embassy had, so far, been followed by no result. Her impatient tempersuffered considerably, and she was about to send off a more peremptorymandate, when the appearance of the tall form of the Prefect himselfconcluded the matter.

  'You sent for me, Empress--here I am!' said he, smiling gaily, and pinchingher beautiful cheek. She pushed his hand away. Had she been really theexalted personage he jokingly termed her, her gesture could not have beenhaughtier in manner. He laughed.

  'Forgive me, beautiful Plautia! I ought to have known that my salutationshould have been warmer. Be not offended! I will hallow with my lips whatmy fingers have profaned.'

  He bent down his lips, as if to kiss her rich-hued cheek, but she pushedhim away, and reared her head with an angry flash of her black eyes.

  'Alas! wherefore did you send for me to be so cruel?' sighed he, withburlesque sorrow and pain.

  'Psa!' she said scornfully.

  'It was not so always,' observed the Prefect, with an affected sigh.

  'And should be less so now,' was the rejoinder; 'the noble Livia should begranted some measure of faithfulness--at the first at least.'

  'Ho! ho! jealous?'

  She gave him a momentary glance of surprise, and then exploded intouncontrollable laughter. Peal after peal rolled full and musically throughthe apartment, and yet so freely and spontaneously, as to forbid any ideaof its mirth being forced.

  'Well--you seem amused at something,' said the Prefect presently, with afrown.

  'Jealous, mighty Prefect, on your account!' quoth Plautia, sinking on acouch with a sigh, and the fitful mutterings of her laughter. 'I canfreely pay tribute to your invincible fascinations, but I am not jealous.Never allow your conceit to grow at such a rate, Prefect, or it will doyou serious harm.'

  'There is no fear,' he replied, biting his lip; 'but whence did you knowconcerning Livia?'

  'A bird of the air brought it this morning.'

  'If I could net that same bird I would, perhaps, clip its wings.'

  'To what purpose, but the pleasure of playing the tyrant? All Rome mustknow, and speedily too, of the Prefect's last move.'

  'That is true; but simply to teach him or her caution. Another time itmight happen to be a more secret matter, premature exposure of which mightlead to serious results. Bid your newsbearers be more wary, sweet lady.But you have not yet told me why you sent for me.'

  'Partly for one more look at you, ere you depart on your matrimonialexpedition,' she said satirically.

  'Do you also know that?'

  'It is part and parcel with the other.'

  She rested her hand gently on his arm, and smiled in his face. 'You aregoing to Capreae--to your Livia,' continued she. 'I congratulate you on thesuccess of the whole affair. What follows then, Sejanus?'--she dropped hervoice in a low tone--'Tiberius is an old man.'

  'What do you mean?' said he, bending on her a cold, stony glance.

  'I spoke without thinking,' she replied, with a careless shrug; 'I meannothing--what could I?'

  'A careless and dangerous habit, and one to be guarded against.'

  'Psa! it is excusable in a woman.'

  'In some--in most perhaps; but there are many--and I include yourselfamongst them, beautiful Plautia--whose brains move busily before theirtongues wag.'

  'Ah me!' sighed the lady impatiently, 'why did I allow the one for once toget before the other? And though you should turn inquisitor, and bringhither your judicial chair, you will make no more of the matter.'

  She stamped her foot with a charming affectation of wrath, and he smiledgrimly.

  'I shall not make the attempt,' he answered; 'I am content to think thatPlautia is wise and prudent. Come! what lies beneath all this?'

  'Why, see how you are at fault--something I do mean truly!' she cried,clapping her hands with glee.

  'Do you suppose I ever thought otherwise?' he rejoined, rather puzzled.

  'No, most subtle of men; but your suspicions lie in a different groove.What care I for your Livia, or Caesar himself, or the windings of yourpolitics, or the bubblings of your ambition--for you have ambition,Prefect, and a goodly share thereof----'

  'Let him herd with oxen who has not.'

  'I care nothing for these; I am too content with, and intent upon, theaffairs of my own small world----'

  'Which is the rosy realm of Venus--go on!' quoth he drily; 'we shall,probably, now hear what this has to do with Tiberius. He is an oldpensioner of the bright goddess.'

  'Fool--nothing whatever! I want to know who is going with you to Capreae.'

  'You have taken a strange method of proceeding in your quest. I shall nottell you, sweet lady; you may await the tidings of that same trusty birdagain.'

  'I know already.'

  'Wonders upon wonders! The gods preserve you to the earth! Wherefore didyou ask, then?'

  'To catch you tripping, if possible.'

  'I should grieve to disappoint you, beauteous Plautia, astute as you arelovely; but I cannot avoid it, for I know not myself who are to be mycompanions.'

  'Miserable deceiver--I expose you at once! A Centurion and a troop ofguards go with you.'

  'This is folly; you have spent the day with children,' he said, burstinginto a laugh
. 'I give you full credit for your penetration. Martialis andhis myrmidons certainly go along with me. Could a Prefect depart on amission without his trusty Pretorians? Who next?'

  'Pray tell me, Prefect!' she wheedled.

  'I have already told you I know not myself, and, therefore, cannot tell.'

  'Then I will--_I am going with you!_'

  The wily Prefect started back, and fairly opened his mouth in dumbastonishment.

  'What! You! Go to Capreae--with me!'

  Plautia set her lips firmly and bowed gravely.

  'Pooh! pooh! you are losing your wits!' he said, with scornfulincredulity, and then he burst into laughter.

  She watched him calmly until he had finished.

  'I am not going thither because I am unable to exist without you,' sheremarked quietly.

  'Certainly not; I should be the last to entertain such a mad idea,' hereplied, with a satisfied laugh which belied his words.

  'No, I am going because I wish to go, and because I will go: and you,Aelius Sejanus, must contrive to convey me thither, openly or in secret.'

  'Oh, openly would be, of course, the most sensible and politic plan forme, as I am situated,' he said ironically; and then he added sternly,'What silly whim is this? It is impossible.'

  'It is possible and shall be.'

  'You mean to enslave Caesar with your charms. Ambition inspires others, itseems, than myself.'

  'I care nothing for Caesar. As little for a foul old man in purple as afoul old man in rags. I seek him not.'

  'It would come to the same thing, sweet Plautia, were you to set foot inthe island, supposing you were able to do so; for you would, most surely,arrive before the ruler of the world in the end, willingly orunwillingly.'

  'That would be my business. I would take care of myself.'

  'Humph! You have done so hitherto, it is true; but then you have had nodifficulties to overcome. The pretty, autocratic ways of Plautia havealways been carefully humoured. If you will take my advice, you willremain where you are, the queen of your own domain, in Rome. If you stepoutside into the world,--into Capreae, for instance, you may probably tasteof a different experience.'

  'I am determined, in spite of all you say.'

  'Be rational!' said the Prefect, bending his brows impatiently. 'Should Ibe in my senses to appear before Livia and the Imperial court with you atmy heels?'

  'You are infatuated with the idea that I am chained and bound to you,'scoffed Plautia. 'I have no more affection for your heels than for anyother individual's. Give me only the assurance that I shall not behindered in my desire, and I shall not trouble you at all.'

  'Tiberius is never deaf to the voice of a lovely woman. Let me tell himyou want him, and there will be no more difficulty.'

  'No!' returned Plautia doggedly, 'I mean to land by myself, quietly andunobserved, on the island.'

  'The guards will prevent you,' said Sejanus, with a scornful smile, 'or,rather, seize you, and hurry you before Caesar, and there will be an endof your frolic. You will inevitably arrive at this conclusion if youpersist in your folly.'

  'I intend to persist.'

  'Good! Then you may take your own way and the consequences thereof. But,bear in mind, if you give cause for awakening any suspicion to mydetriment, you will rue the day you allowed yourself to be possessed ofthis absurd fancy.'

  'You may rest easy, if that comprises all your apprehensions,' answeredPlautia composedly. 'Disenchant yourself, as speedily as possible, on thepoint of your supposed importance to me. Your vanity is your weakestpoint. I will not meddle with you; for I have no desire.'

  'I cannot dissuade you, then?'

  'No.'

  'Then tell me how you mean to proceed.'

  'Whichever way you think best.'

  The Prefect took a turn or two up and down the room, biting his thumb-nailin deep cogitation. He scarcely knew whether to carry matters with a highhand and flatly forbid the importunate lady. He knew her determined natureand her energy, and was well aware that she possessed sufficient knowledgeto make herself extremely troublesome, if she thought proper. At the sametime, her presence, along with himself, in the island of Capreae, wherehis intended bride awaited him, was highly fraught with danger, on accountof the jealousy naturally to be expected on the part of that princess,were the matter to come to her ears, as it was only too possible it might,in that circumscribed domain. Perplexed as he was, therefore, a suddenidea like an inspiration struck him and filled him with satisfaction.

  'Well, carissime?' quoth the watchful Plautia, as the rays of his reliefflooded his countenance.

  'Hush--hush, girl! That no longer!'

  'What, then?' she asked jeeringly.

  'Nothing whatever. No more folly!'

  'Agreed! You have thought of a plan. Tell it!'

  'When I choose my companions I can smuggle you under the wing of one ofthem. It can easily be explained. You may perhaps be obliged to set out ata different time; but that will matter little.'

  'Nothing! When am I to be assured of this arrangement?'

  'To-morrow you shall know all particulars. What more do you want of me,for I am full of business? Nevertheless, you see how a simple word fromyou brought me to your side.'

  'I want nothing more. You are now free for your royal Livia.'

  'Free, but not forgotten--at least on my part.'

  'Farewell, Prefect!' said Plautia, waving her white hand.

  'For the last time, then,' he said, laughingly catching it and kissing it.

  'To-morrow I shall hear from you without fail?'

  'To-morrow most surely!' he replied; and, wafting another kiss with hishand, Sejanus left the room and hastened away. Entering the neighbouringSubura, he sought a by-court out of the stream of the bustling, mainthoroughfares. It was narrow, tortuous, dirty, and unsavoury. But littleof the sky could be seen above; and the denizens of the place wereslovenly, dirty, half-dressed men and women, slouching along, or loungingin knots. Any intruder of respectable appearance into their haunt,encountered such a cross-fire of baleful glances from these evil-eyedindividuals, whose lowering visages were plainly stamped with night andenormity, that, being of timid nature, the visitor might well breathe morefreely, and be thankful when he reached a public place once more. ThePrefect, however, was of different mould, and gave no heed to the scrutinyof the night-vultures whom he passed. He paused before a door, at which heknocked. There was a considerable delay, and only, when he had thunderedtwo or three times more, was a shuffling step heard within. The bolts weredrawn and the door opened slowly a couple of inches, just sufficient toafford a glimpse of elf-locks, a withered skin, and a pair of watery,glistening eyes.

  'What want ye?' asked a harsh, but yet a woman's voice.

  'Thy master, Tigellinus. Open quickly!' said Sejanus roughly.

  'Nay, you must wait a little!' answered the hideous doorkeeper, proceedingto shut him out.

  But the Prefect's reply was a vigorous push, which nearly overturned her,and brought him inside the passage, which was strongly pervaded by thefumes of cooking.

  The old hag, staggering nearly to the ground, recovered herself and rushedat him, giving vent to an angry scream, and showing a formidable extensionof her bony claws.

  'Away, you filthy harpy. Hideous crow!' shouted Sejanus, repulsing herwith another vigorous shove,--'away and tell Tigellinus that Lars Porsenaawaits him from Etruria.'

  His imperious, as well as vigorous, manner cowed the old woman, and sheshuffled away into the gloom of the interior, grumbling and muttering hersuspicions. For the few moments which intervened Sejanus paced the obscurepassage, inhaling the odours of the kitchen, to the disgust of his refinedsenses, and listening to the distant bursts of chatter and laughter, ofwhat seemed to be female voices. A man made his appearance at length, andgreeted him with deference. He was young, and had swarthy and handsomefeatures.

  'I have had the misfortune to disturb you at your dinner, worthyTigellinus,' quoth the Prefect; 'deny it not, for I can smell i
t palpably.I also hear the merry voices of your happy family, from which I havedragged you. I apologise!'

  'Do not, P--I mean Porsena,' replied Tigellinus, 'fifty dinners andfamilies are not to be compared to the privilege of your visit. What can Ido for you, noble sir?'

  'In here and I will tell you,' said Sejanus, and they entered a smallroom. 'When were you in Capreae last?' inquired the Prefect, with alurking smile.

  'Three months ago,' was the reply.

  'Would it be wise and politic for you to go again within a few days?'

  'I am at present anxiously on the look-out for merchandise; the Imperialconnection is a business I would not readily lose.'

  'A lady wishes to visit the island. I want you to escort her. Youunderstand?'

  'Perfectly; if it is to serve you, Prefect.'

  'You will serve me and yourself at the same time. To you also, who are sofond of female society, she will be a most exquisite companion, since sheis one of the most beautiful women in Rome.'

  'That will be delightful. I await your instructions.'

  'You will come to me to-morrow at the fourth hour.'

  'I will obey.'

  Sejanus took him by the arm and whispered in his ear. The eyes ofTigellinus sparkled.

  'Well, what think you?' said the Prefect.

  'I am astonished, bewildered, enraptured. It is mysterious and glorious!Your lordship must tell me more.'

  'To-morrow, Tigellinus, to-morrow! Farewell! I need not warn you to besecret.'

  Sejanus, thereupon, went swiftly away from the reeking abode, and left theman Tigellinus in the doorway bowing to the ground.