CHAPTER XIX.
Afer had gauged with tolerable accuracy the depth to which he had stirredthe heart of Plautia, in spite of her efforts to counterfeit indifference.Indeed, with the actual knowledge he possessed of her feelings towards theCenturion Martialis, he could scarcely be misled.
'She will go straightway and lock herself up alone, to give it all vent,'he thought to himself, with a grin, 'and quite right that she should knowthe flavour of what she deals so liberally to others.'
What the knight thus shrewdly conjectured was actually the course whichPlautia followed. No sooner had she quitted him, than, impatientlyrefusing all the attentions of her women, she closed the door upon them,and gave a full rein to the feelings which choked her.
Furious resentment against the betrayer of her confidence was uppermost;and reflection on the consequences of publicity was maddening to one whoseintense pride had never been thwarted in any particular. She would now behaunted by the covert smile, the half-hidden sneer and giggle, thoughmasked by the obsequious court and service which hung upon her nod. Sheshook her clenched fists in dull fury.
It was the nervous dread of this which formed the obstacle to her burningdesire of making personal inquiries into the extent of the evil. To watchthe smile on a menial's face in answer to her questions, would be trulyinsupportable; but, more than all, would her pride disdain to betray theleast token that the matter gave her concern, even to the extent of asimple question. The thoughts, therefore, which remained to comfort her insome degree, may easily be perceived. Her fevered mind was filled with theform of the imagined author of her trouble. 'Coward, coward!' she mutteredfrom time to time, in the accents of the deepest rage and contempt, thoughonce or twice it fell whispered from her lips, like an echo of reproachand despair, rounded by a half-hysterical sob.
But all such passing weaknesses were swallowed up in the overpoweringresentment which thirsted for revenge. What mischief had already been doneit was impossible to remedy. Nothing was left to her but a counter scheme,which might eventually enable her to cry quits. With this intention infull possession of her mind she paced the room, yet was without asufficiently plausible idea to work upon, when the customary invitation tothe supper-table of Caesar arrived. Her first impulse was to remain inseclusion, but, on second thoughts, she reproached herself with want ofcourage, and determined to boldly accept her position at once. The hourfor the meal being near at hand, she summoned her attendants for thebusiness of her toilet.
There was seldom much change in the party at the Imperial supper-table.Plautia, therefore, met the familiar faces, amongst whom were Afer and thePrefect. The task of appearing utterly indifferent and unobservant when,at the same time, the breast is unusually susceptible and sick withnervous dread, is so difficult as to be seldom or never acted withsuccess. The result with Plautia was, that her bearing became haughty andstiff to an unusual degree. Her distempered mind appropriated every smileand jest as in some way connected with herself. Her disordered fancy evenreached to the slaves behind her back, furnishing them with imagined nodsand winks, and _sotto-voce_ jokes. The exclusive demands on her vigilanceby this morbid sensitiveness naturally engendered an abstraction from theconversation of the company, which was particularly noticeable, incontrast to her customary mood. As she was moreover, somewhat pale,Tiberius expressed a fear that she was unwell. Assuring him to thecontrary, she made a spasmodic attempt to recover her sprightliness, but,unable to sustain it, she gradually relapsed into her former mood. Nofurther notice, however, was taken.
When the business of eating was over, and the conversation began to lagsomewhat, Zeno, whose watchfulness had a care for everything, leaned overthe Imperial couch and whispered in his master's ear. Tiberius nodded.
''Tis an artisan from Surrentum, friends, who desires to show mesomething--some extraordinary discovery. It may amuse us to see what itis,' said the Emperor.
In a few moments the Greek returned, followed by Masthlion, who seemed tobe dazzled for a moment by the lights and glitter of the luxuriously-appointed apartment. The Surrentine's eyes had never been suffered to fallupon such magnificence crowded within the limits of four walls. When tothis was added the scrutiny of the richly-attired guests at table, whom heconcluded to be people of the highest rank, including Caesar himself, histemporary embarrassment was only natural. As he stepped inside the room,he made a deep obeisance towards a confused gleam, mingled with forms andfaces. But speedily recovering himself, his keen eye roved swiftly round,and noted every particular and face, even of the slaves who stoodclustered aside. Thence his gaze returned and rested on the pale, blotchedface and brilliant eyes, which, by repute, he knew belonged to his ruler.
'Approach!' said Tiberius.
The potter stepped forward into the middle of the floor opposite to thetable, and on his flanks, at the same time, moved the Pretorian of theguard, who had attended him into the room. He was dressed in his best darkwoollen tunic, and carried in his hand a wallet. His striking face, withits pale massive brow and deep-set bright eyes, caught the attention ofall and he stood calmly sustaining the scrutiny of every eye.
'We are ready to see what you have to show, artisan, and to hear what youhave to say,' said Caesar. 'Who and what are you?'
'I am a potter of Surrentum, and well known to the townsfolk. My name isMasthlion, so please you, Caesar.'
Plautia started in surprise as the name fell on her ears, and she rousedwith eager attention to what should follow. She found the glance of Aferalso resting on her, and he slightly raised his eyebrows and smiled.
'Proceed, then, Masthlion the potter,' said Tiberius.
'May it please you, Caesar,' responded Masthlion, 'although a potter bytrade, I have devoted much time to the art of making glass,--as much in theway of inclination as of making profit. Twenty-five years ago, whilstworking under my old master, I chanced to fall upon a piece of glass ofvery strange quality, amongst a pile of fragments and rubbish of theworkshop. It had been fused and formed by some strange accident, and eversince that time I have never ceased in trying to discover the secret ofits formation. Within the last two or three days I have, by the favour ofthe gods, succeeded in my endeavours, and to you, Caesar, first after myown family, I considered it my foremost duty to show it.'
Tiberius nodded.
'Twenty-five years! At any rate such wonderful perseverance should commandrespect,' remarked Sejanus drily.
'It was the belief that my labour, if successful, would prove a benefit tothe world, that has upheld me under much disappointment and poverty.'
'Very disinterested and laudable,' said Afer, in a tone which brought alaugh to the lips of the Prefect.
'You would seem to doubt my sincerity, noble sir,' said the potter,bestowing a keen glance on the knight, and at the same time opening hiswallet, 'and without being selfish, I think that my long labour andsacrifices should meet with a just return, if the fruit of it prove ofreal service to others.'
'Doubtless,' quoth Afer.
'Doubtless,' murmured Caesar, and the knight became silent.
'This is the specimen I have made to test my words,' proceeded Masthlion,as he drew out a plain bowl of dull-coloured glass. He handed it to Zeno,who stood by, and the Greek took it to his master who briefly examined it.With a shrug of his shoulders it was handed back to the steward. A smilerested on the lips of the potter.
'It is true that its appearance has nothing to commend it,' said thelatter, 'but I will explain that, by saying, that it was made in hasteduring the past night, that I might hasten hither to-day. It is not theappearance of the glass I wish your highness to judge of--that can be madeto suit every taste, with better appliances than my humble workshoppossesses. The same principle which constructs this poor bowl can beapplied to produce such costly and priceless articles as those I seethere,'--he pointed to some magnificent vases on the table. 'It is thenature of the material which forms my secret. You know of what worth thosevases would be if flung on the floor; they
would be shivered to a millionatoms. Will Caesar bid the strongest slave take this poor bowl of mine anddash it on the floor with all his might, that he may see the result?'
Tiberius turned his head slightly toward his gigantic Nubian servant whostood behind him. The black went round and took the cup from Zeno. Raisingit to the full height of his arm, he dashed it down on the marble floorwith terrific force. The derisive smile on his thick lips changed tocomplete surprise, for, instead of the expected crash was a dull thud. Hestooped quickly and lifted on high the bowl with one side completelyflattened in.
Exclamations and murmurs of wonder arose, and the bowl was given over oncemore to the inspection of Caesar, from whom it was passed to the others.
'Good,' said Tiberius. 'What next?'
'I will proceed to restore it to its original shape, if Caesar willpermit.'
Receiving the customary nod, the potter took from his wallet a smallblock, slightly concave on one surface, together with a mallet and a pieceof wood, which had one end fashioned like a wedge, and the other broad andround like a pestle. Placing the bowl on the hollow side of the block, heproceeded to distend the crushed glass with the thin end of the wedge,and, when sufficient space had been made, he inserted the blunt end, andso hammered the malleable glass to its original shape.
Springing up Masthlion once more passed the bowl for examination.
'This virtue is my discovery, Caesar,' said he with pride. 'That frailglass is made well-nigh indestructible. That is my feat accomplished atlast. To others who follow it will be easier to further develop theprinciple.'
The potter and his novel exhibition had now aroused very considerablecuriosity in the spectators. Plautia's interest was in the man rather thanin his work, not only by reason of the relation he bore to the affairwhich absorbed her mind, but also by the natural inclination of her sex.The Prefect was genuinely interested, whilst Afer assumed an amusedindifference. Tiberius himself betrayed evident attention to Masthlion'swork, and asked many questions in reference to its qualifications andfitness for further development, not omitting to draw from the inventorbrief details concerning himself.
At length the potter received the signal to retire, and Zeno wasinstructed to retain him in the villa until further notice. One old man attable had kept his peace, watching all and hearing all, with knitted browsand pursed mouth. He was one of the philosophers whose company was so muchaffected by the Emperor, and his profession was the abstruse science ofastrology, a pursuit whose attributes of mystery and superstitionespecially recommended it to his master's favour.
'Look how rapt in meditation is our worthy Thrasullus,' remarked Sejanus,with ill-concealed raillery; 'his mind is amid the stars. Say, learnedsage of Chaldean mysteries, if this new birth of plastic glass pots hasbeen recorded in the heavens?'
'In the eternal stars are written all things, but few only of theirinscrutable secrets fall within the narrow scope of the humanunderstanding,' responded the philosopher, in a low tone. 'My own poorpowers have been engaged in tracing weightier destinies than that of awretched potter.'
'Oh, for a lesson therein from your learned lips, Chaldean!'
'Nothing is sacred to the ears of a scoffer,' said the old man. 'Thou wiltknow well enough some day all that I could tell thee now, Prefect.'
'And much more too--it requires no planets to tell us that,' said Sejanusderisively.
Thrasullus smiled scornfully and, without deigning to reply, turned to theEmperor and said, 'What does Caesar think of this new species ofglassware, which would seem to be practically indestructible?'
'Indestructible material must ever have the preference over theperishable.'
'Yes, when there is tolerable equality in other respects. For the kitchenand tables of the poor, the ware that is proof against time and usage ispriceless. But how, if, as this potter says, the principle can be appliedto works of the highest beauty and art, such as deck the boards andmansions of the noble and wealthy, the chosen of mankind?'
'It does not alter the circumstances. I should prefer to have thisprecious vase before me safe from all possible fracture.'
'And so would the rest of mankind owning such a treasure. Thus then, thisunion of beauty and economy becoming universal, to what esteem and valuewill the precious metals sink? Look to it, Caesar, and great ones of theearth, possessors of the priceless wealth of gold and silver! This poorpotter with his bowl is a leveller and cheapener of ye all.'
'Thank heaven 'tis a danger I am quit of,' quoth Afer, in a tone whichraised a laugh; and, after Plautia retired a few minutes later, thediscussion upon the very plausible theory put forward by Thrasullus wascontinued with animation some time longer.
The appearance of Masthlion in the character of an inventor struck Plautiaas a very extraordinary coincidence, and added fresh fuel to her excitedthoughts. She lay sleepless for hours, turning restlessly from side toside with the sharply graven image of the potter rooted in her brain. Themystery of the man's daughter tormented her. A mental portrait of her shehad formed long ago, but now a fierce desire to see with her own eyes tookpossession of her. She must visit Surrentum--she would request it ofCaesar--nay, she would demand it. The old man was infatuated and wouldgrant her any wish--any whim. A thought struck her, and she started up withthe blood tingling through her veins. Would not this man's lovely daughterbe a more acceptable and interesting object in the villa than hisglassware! Fool she was not to think of it before!
To find the cherished flower--the paragon of loveliness within the fatalwalls of the villa when he returned! Ha, then would Martialis have hisdue. She sank back with a sinister laugh.
When the morning came she despatched a messenger to Priscus, a knight andpersonal friend and follower of Tiberius. He had been of the party at thesupper-table the previous evening. In half an hour he entered theapartment, newly-shaven, curled, fresh and wreathed in smiles. She hadchosen her man well, for in all matters domestic he was Caesar'sconfidant. With political matters he meddled not, repelled alike byinclination and prudence. But in the daily minutiae of the personal andprivate occupations of his Imperial friend and ruler he was indispensable,inestimable as thinker, provider, arranger--a true lion's jackal.
He was barely middle-aged, with regular, comely features, which a puffyface and pasty complexion marred considerably. His figure exhibited thesame overload of fat, and, altogether, he presented the idea of a man,whose habits of life might more wisely have lain in the way of increasedbodily exercise and Spartan fare. He used his hands very freely toaccentuate his speech, but, more probably, because they were very small,plump, white, and soft.
'Plautia's message reached me in the midst of important business, but atthe very moment of relief I came,' he said, with a charming smile and waveof his white hand.
'It is more than I deserved, so trifling are my requirements,' repliedPlautia. 'I left the table last night somewhat early, and I am anxious toknow whether I missed anything in the affair of that wonderful potter andhis glass. See how interested I am, when I presume so far as to bring youhither at the sacrifice of your own affairs to enlighten me.'
'Ah,' replied Priscus, with a smirk, a bow, and a flash of his snowyfingers, 'would to heaven your summons came oftener to bid me attend yourpresence. In the matter of the potter and his glass, which was, as yousay, so highly remarkable, there followed a long discussion, of which, tomy deep sorrow, I am utterly unable to give you a detailed account. Ibelieve the fellow is still detained during Caesar's pleasure, and thedecided opinion last night was, that his new fashioned glass, if broughtinto general use, would sadly interfere with the more highly esteemedmetals. So that, in case this opinion be retained, I should say theunlucky man will have small cause to rejoice in his invention.'
'A very hard fate, no doubt, after his toil.'
'Doubtless,' said Priscus, shrugging his shoulders; 'but it cannot behelped. If his invention be disadvantageous, Caesar must interdict it inthe interest of all.'
'Naturally! And so, noble Priscus, let
me thank you for your courtesy. Iam sorry to think the poor man will be no gainer--he seemed so intelligent,I was quite interested.'
'Undoubtedly above the standard of his class.'
'He seems, moreover, to be tolerably well known,' uttered Plautia, with acareless yawn. 'Somebody about me--I know not who--told me he possessed adaughter at home, a girl of surpassing loveliness.'
'Ah, indeed!' said the knight, with the slightest wrinkle of his brows.'Now, to my humble taste, that would be infinitely more interesting thanthe child of his genius--a glass bowl. But yet to speak of surpassingloveliness when the beauteous Plautia is not excepted is absurd.'
Priscus bowed and smirked again with effusive gallantry which Plautia, asaffectedly, returned.
'And now I will detain you no longer, my friend,' said Plautia; 'forgivemy idle message!'
'Ah, say no more of that--would I could remain! But there is an excursionhalf resolved upon to-day to inspect the works at the new villa of Mars.You will doubtless hear of it in due course, if finally resolved on. Tillthen farewell, noble Plautia.'
As the day wore on, Priscus came again with the anticipated invitation forPlautia to accompany the afternoon's expedition.
The effect of yesterday's experience had far from passed away from hermind, and, although she had recovered much of her nerve, there yetremained a dread of appearing among the people. The hesitation did notlast long. Her courage was equal to the occasion, and she had now,moreover, a definite plan of action. The man before her, she thought, asthat individual chattered away, must know, if any one knew, of everyrumour and piece of gossip current in the villa and island. She longed toquestion him, but her pride recoiled from the attempt.
As the knight was going out of the room, he suddenly turned back andwhispered, with portentous secrecy, 'Concerning that potter, I had nearlyforgotten to tell you. I am afraid the verdict goes dead againsthim--Caesar has been closeted with his philosophers all morning--lengthydiscussion and opinion entirely unfavourable to said potter'sinvention--Silenus tells me this, _sub rosa_--I tell it to you, divinePlautia, but you will respect the secret and save me the fate of atalebearer, I know--in half an hour your litter will await you at yourgarden entrance.'
At the time appointed Plautia was borne away by the stout slaves, andjoined Tiberius and his small retinue which awaited her without the villagates. After a minute inspection of the villa, which was rapidly rising ona height beyond the village, the party returned, and Plautia was escortedto her rooms by her host himself. Refreshments were served. Tiberius,drinking wine, reclined on a couch.
'You eat nothing, Caesar,' said Plautia, whose healthy appetite, sharpenedby the open air, was not so easily appeased.
'Age wants for less than youth,' replied Tiberius, with his admiring gazefixed upon her. 'This island wine will suffice me till supper.'
She refilled his cup and acted as his cupbearer, with such charming,smiling grace, that his pale face was suffused with a faint hue ofpleasure.
'You sent for Priscus this morning,' murmured he, between the sips of thewine which she had tasted for him with her ripe lips.
She started and he smiled.
'Priscus told me,' he said, laying his thin hand quietly on her arm. 'Whydo you start? Do you think you have committed some grave offence? Can younot send for whom you please--myself included?'
'You are too good,' murmured Plautia, with a pretty assumption of bashfulpleasure.
'Yes,' continued the Emperor, feasting his eyes on the lovely colour whichdeepened in her face. 'You feel interested in the artisan and the work heshowed us last night, and you sent for Priscus. I am displeased--you oughtto have sent your pleasure to me, who can better serve you than Priscus.'
'It was nothing--yet I confess the man's appearance and his work interestedme--I wished to know what you had determined with regard to him!'
'I am counselled to think that his invention would not be the benefitwhich, at first glance, it would seem to be. It is necessary to considerit in conjunction with other things. However, if the fellow is likely tosuffer by his unlucky idea, we may be able to make it up in some otherparticular--let us have him here and hear what he has to say.'
One of the attendants was despatched, and in a short time returned withMasthlion.
The potter came before them with his customary respectful, but self-possessed bearing; but his expression was a trifle more anxious andcareworn, as if delay and want of encouragement had dispirited him. Hishopes had been very sanguine.
His eyes eagerly tried to glean from the Emperor's impassive face sometrace of the bent of his thoughts, but without result.
'This noble lady,' said Tiberius, 'who saw you last night, has deigned totake so much interest in you, as to wish to hear from your own lips thestory of your life. With regard to the specimen you brought us, that isyet under consideration.'
'The noble lady honours me with her regard,' replied Masthlion, gazing ather with undisguised admiration; 'I will tell her willingly; but there islittle worthy of notice. The life of a poor workman is seldom anything butthe dreary history of toil for daily bread. One day resembles another,save when food is scarcer and labour harder.'
'Go on!' said Plautia.
Masthlion did as he was requested, and gave a brief sketch of his life,down to the discovery already described. Plautia listened attentively,whilst Caesar beguiled the time in sipping his wine and gazing at herface.
'Good!' said Tiberius, as the speaker concluded; 'and now it would be idleto mislead you with sanguine hopes. After so long a labour it must needsbe disappointing to know, that the verdict upon your invention seems to beunfavourable. Build not, therefore, extravagant visions of success.'
Masthlion listened in silence. It sounded like the knell of his hopes. Hiseyes first sought one and then the other, as if to assure himself that nojoke was being passed upon him; then he folded his arms across his breastwith quiet dignity, but infinite sadness.
'Take heart, potter!' said Plautia, who seemed really touched, as far asit was possible for an aristocrat to be with one of Masthlion's degree.
'A lifelong task must needs be rooted in one's breast--it is idle to denyit,' said Masthlion, sick at heart. 'Will Caesar deign to say in whatrespect my work has met with disapproval?'
'Its bad effect upon a more important industry.'
'One industry can scarce injure another, when both are useful. To my ownpoor thoughts they would rather tend to mutual good.'
'Older and wiser heads than yours think differently. Your views areprejudiced and circumscribed by the narrow limits of your own particularwork--it will be necessary for your secret to remain undivulged.'
'And yet there is no one living who would not seek the benefit of myglass--is it possible, then, for such a thing to be hurtful?' mutteredMasthlion in the keen bitterness of his soul.
''Tis strange, to say the least of it,' said Plautia; 'but courage--it willbe approved--some day you will become famous.'
Tiberius smiled coldly. Seeing Masthlion about to speak again, he shot hima warning glance and raised his finger.
'It is enough,' he said; 'I admit the disappointment, but it isunavoidable. At the same time your honest perseverance merits praise,whatever its fate. We may be able to recompense you in some way. You are apoor man, and I am told you have a comely daughter--let her come to Capreaeand attend on this noble lady, whose interest you have won. In addition tothe great honour and advancement it will confer on the girl, she will bebestowed upon the protection and kindness of the best of mistresses. It isa chance such as seldom offers.'
The words fell on Masthlion like a blight. Terror froze his heart with anicy grip, and animation seemed congealed, for a few moments, so sudden anddread was the blow.
The warnings and censure of his kinsman came back upon him. Their echo nolonger sounded foolish. He was in the toils--in the midst of the vastpalace, with guards and sleepless eyes environing down the water's edge.In the very clutch of the ruthless being, the savour of whose pu
blicreputation was as the scent of blood: whose simple request was tantamountto a command.
How came he to know of her existence? Those two visitors to his shop, whomCestus had warned him of! But then Neaera was as well known in the town ashimself.
His mind flew back to his lowly home, and pictured his darling so vividly,that the fire of desperation rose upon the chill horror which filled him.She, who was all purity and womanliness, to inhabit there! They might rendhim in pieces ere he would consent.
He moistened his parched lips with his tongue, and could scarcely trusthis voice to frame an answer. He looked up again. Caesar and the beautifulwoman were watching him. The immovable eyes of the former seemed to piercehim to the marrow, and he shuddered.
'What troubles you, fellow?' said Tiberius, in harsh tones; 'have you nota daughter to send hither?'
'So please you, Caesar, and this noble lady, I have a daughter, and I amgrateful for the gracious favour you propose for her; but for her to leaveme would be to take from my life the only joy and consolation it has left,since the hopes of my work have been destroyed.'
'Tush! This is the way that the maudlin childishness of old age speaks,and not the common-sense words of hale and hearty manhood. The lady hasneed of her--it will be to the benefit of the girl, and she will be nigh athand for your occasional visits.'
'The noble lady will not deal so hardly with us,' said Masthlion; 'shewill not insist on removing from our poor home the only light itpossesses?'
'My service will be easy and pleasant, and the girl will be happy--youdistress yourself without reason,' said Plautia, with singularsatisfaction at the unexpected turn things had taken.
'Enough,' said Tiberius, 'it is settled. It is the bare idea whichfrightens you--you will grow wiser on reflection. Now go--you will receiveyour instructions to-morrow.'
Masthlion seized upon a last thought which struck his mind, and, insteadof obeying the command, fell on his knees.
'Pardon, Caesar, but it cannot be--this daughter, as I have called her, isnot my own begotten child. Those, to whom she belongs, still live, and itis beyond my power to dispose of her, whether I would or no.'
'It matters nothing,' said Tiberius ironically; 'refer them to me--who arethey?'
'I know them not, save that they are noble and wealthy and dwell in Rome,'said Masthlion wildly.
'The children of nobles are not put into the hovels of potters,' returnedthe Emperor contemptuously.
'She was stolen and brought to me when an infant.'
'Then your head is in danger.'
'I knew it not until within the last few weeks--she was delivered to me asan orphan child of poor parents--I was childless and I took her in.'
'Dare you tell fables to me--go!'
'It is truth, before the gods--she is a noble's daughter and cannot come!'cried the potter in reckless desperation.
'Away--you destroy all lenience,' said Tiberius, starting up with aterrible frown; 'cannot come--insolent! Ho! Zeno! Who waits there?'
Both the steward and the soldier on guard appeared in the room, almost assoon as the words had left the Emperor's lips. By the wrathful tone andthe angry glow in their master's eyes, they expected a summary order. ThePretorian's heavy grasp had already fallen on the potter's shoulder, butTiberius merely waved his hand impatiently toward the door, and fell backon his cushions.
'Quick, you fool!' whispered Zeno in Masthlion's ear, and, aided by thePretorian on the other side, the wretched potter was hurried staggeringfrom the room.
'Haste!' said the steward again, when outside, 'before he changes hismind.' He dragged his charge along through the mazes of the palace,without stop, until he deposited him, more like a man in a dream, in thenarrow little closet which contained his sleeping pallet.
Masthlion sank thereon and buried his face in his hands with a groan.
'Hark'ee, comrade,' said Zeno, after regarding him for a while, 'take myword for it, you are well out of that. I have seen better men come worseoff. It is only for madmen and fools to make experiments on the temper ofCaesar--do you take my advice and be careful and less ambitious in yourbusiness--take your wares to a safer market.'
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