We have no need of any half-men."
"But he will," said the girl, with a worried look. "He shall embrace
me--he shall, or--or I will bid my brother kill him. Oh, wretch!" She
jumped to her feet with a merry cry. "I have an idea," she added,
clapping her hands. "When the sunlight falls on the floor yonder, I
will get up and dance in it."
"A pretty trick!" said her mother.
"Oh, son of Varro! why do you not come?" said the girl, impatiently.
"I love him so I could die for him--I could die for him! Perhaps he
loves me not and I shall never see him again."
She hurried to the outer court, whispering anxiously: "Come, son of
Varro. Oh, come quickly, son of Varro!"
When Vergilius arrived Arria was waiting for him there in the court of
the palace. Her white silk rustled as she ran to meet him. Her cheeks
had the pink of roses and her eyes a glow in them like that of
diamonds. She stopped as he came near, and turned away.
"Tears?" said he, leaning down, with his arms about her. "Oh, love,
let me see your face!"
She turned quickly with a little toss of her head and took a step
backward.
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