“They are a fortune in themselves,” he
said; “in case of danger, take them from the
casket and conceal them in your garments. No
one could have been more cordial than Nero was this
morning; but he is fickle as the wind, and when Rufinus
and others of his boon companions obtain his ear his
mood may change altogether.”
It was not long, indeed, before Beric found that hostile
influences were at work. Nero was not less friendly
in his manner, but he more than once spoke to him
about Aemilia.
“I hear,” he said one day, “that
your betrothed is very beautiful Beric.”
“She is very fair, Caesar,” Beric replied
coldly.
“I know not how it is that I have not seen her
at court,” Nero continued.
“Her tastes are like those of her father,”
Beric said. “She goes but seldom abroad,
and has long had the principal care of her father’s
household.”
“But you should bring her now,” Nero persisted.
“The wife of one of the officials of the palace
should have a place at our entertainments.”
“She is not at present my wife, Caesar, she
is but my betrothed; and as you have yourself excused
me from attendance at all entertainments, it would
be unseemly for her, a Roman maiden, though betrothed
to me, to appear there.”
“There are plenty of other Roman maidens who
appear there,” Nero said pettishly. Beric
made no reply, and the subject was not again alluded
to at that time; but the emperor returned to it on
other occasions, and Beric at last was driven to refuse
point blank.
“I am your majesty’s guard,” he
said. “I watch you at night as well as
by day, and, as I have told your majesty, I cannot
perform my duties properly if I have to be present
at your entertainments. I should not permit my
wife or my betrothed to be present in public unless
I were by her side. Your majesty took me for what
I was, a simple Briton, who could be relied upon as
a guard, because I had neither friends nor family
in Rome, and was content to live a simple and quiet
life. I am willing to abstain from marriage in
order that I may still do my service as heretofore;
but if I have to attend entertainments, you cannot
rely upon my constant vigilance. It is for you
to choose, Caesar, whether you most require vigilant
guards, who could be trusted as standing aloof from
all, or the addition of two persons to the crowds
you entertain. I am sure, Caesar,” he went
on as the emperor made no reply, “it is not yourself
who is now speaking to me; it is Rufinus, formerly
a suitor for the hand of the daughter of Norbanus,
who has been whispering into your ear and abusing
the favour you show him. He dare not show his
animosity to me openly, for one who has conquered
a lion would make but short work of him. Your
majesty, I pray you, let not the word of men like
this come between yourself and one you know to be faithful
to you.”
