I have wished to meet you, noble tribune, ever since I saw you in my father's palace." Her eyes were playful, as if they would try the heart of her lover.
"And when I saw you," said Vergilius, "I--I knew you were the betrothed of the assessor." "And why ?" she besought, with a smile.
"Because I heard him say in Rome that, of all the daughters of Judea, you were most beautiful." Her eyes looked full upon his and he saw in them a glint of that fire which had begun to burn within her.

He said to himself, as he came away, "Here is another Cleopatra--a woman made to pull down the mighty." Next day from the daughter of Herod came a letter to the young tribune: "NOBLE SON OF VARRO,--I have much to say concerning your welfare, and I doubt not you will desire to hear it.

If I judge you rightly, come to the palace of my mother the second evening before the nones.

An hour after sunset I will meet you at the gate of bronze.

Say naught to Manius of your coming or of this letter." "Temptress!" said he, crushing the sheet of scented vellum.