Quo Vadis: a narrative of the time of Nero by Henryk Sienkiewicz
page 60 of 747 (08%)
page 60 of 747 (08%)
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hardly heard of the Stoics, but in character he was not far from their
ideas,--death was more acceptable to his pride than disgrace. When he returned home, he pacified Pomponia, gave her the consolation that he had, and both began to await news from Vinicius. At moments when the steps of some of the slaves were heard in the atrium, they thought that perhaps Vinicius was bringing their beloved child to them, and they were ready in the depth of their souls to bless both. Time passed, however, and no news came. Only in the evening was the hammer heard on the gate. After a while a slave entered and handed Aulus a letter. The old general, though he liked to show command over himself, took it with a somewhat trembling hand, and began to read as hastily as if it were a question of his whole house. All at once his face darkened, as if a shadow from a passing cloud had fallen on it. "Read," said he, turning to Pomponia. Pomponia took the letter and read as follows:-- "Marcus Vinicius to Aulus Plautius greeting. What has happened, has happened by the will of Cæsar, before which incline your heads, as I and Petronius incline ours." A long silence followed. |
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