accepted it?"

"I guaranteed to her that I will not denounce herself to Commodus! She
saw the point. She could never clear herself."

"But how could you denounce her? She can have you seized and silenced
any time! Weren't you in Cornificia's house, with the guard at the
gate? Why didn't she summon the praetorians and hand you over to them?"

"Because Galen was there, too. She loves him, trusts him, and Galen is
my friend. Besides, Pertinax would turn on her if she should have me
killed. Pertinax was my father's friend, and is mine. Marcia's only
chance, if Commodus should lose his life, is for Pertinax to seize the
throne and continue to be her friend and protect her. Any other
possible successor to Commodus would have her head off in the same
hour."

"Well, Sextus, that argument won't keep her from having you murdered. I
am only hoping she won't order me to do it, because the cat will be out
of the bag then. I will not refuse, but I will certainly not kill you,
and that will mean--"

"You forget Norbanus and my freedmen," Sextus interrupted. "She knows
very well that they know all my secrets. They would avenge me instantly
by sending Commodus full information of the plot, involving Marcia head
over heels. She is ready to betray Commodus if that should seem the
safest course. If she is capable of treachery to him, she is equally
sure to betray all her friends if she thought her own life were in
danger!"