Chapter 3

"He is more honored than Jupiter these days," the philosopher was
saying as Vergilius re-entered.

"Who?" inquired the young man.

"Who else but Caesar, and it is well. The gods--who are they?"

"The adopted children of Vergil and Homer," said Appius, brother of
Arria, who had just returned from the baths.

"But our great father Augustus--who can doubt that he deserves our
worship?" said the philosopher, a subtle irony in his voice. It was
this learned man who had long been the instructor of Vergilius.

"Who, indeed?" was the remark of another.

"But these gods!"

"At least they are not likely to cut off one's head," said Aulus.

"Speak not lightly of the gods," said Vergilius. "They are still a
power with the people, and the people have great need of them. What
shall become of Rome when the gods fall?"

"It shall sicken," said the philosopher, with a lift of his hand. "You
that are young may live to see the end. It shall be like the opening
of the underworld. Our republic is false, our gods are false, and,
indeed, I know but one truth."

"And what may it be?" said another.

"We are all liars," he quickly answered.

"O tempora!" said the Lady Lucia. "It is an evil day, especially among
men. When Quinta Claudia went with her noble sisters to meet the
Idaean mother at Terracina they were able to find in Rome one virtuous
man to escort them. But that was more than two hundred years ago."

"If one were to find him now, and he were to go," said the philosopher,
"by the gods above us! I fear he would return a sad rake indeed."

"'Tis not a pleasant theme," said the Lady Lucia, by way of introducing
another.

"The dear old girl!" said young Gracus, in a low tone, as he turned to
the senator. "Her hair is a lie, her complexion is a lie, her lips are
a lie."

"And her life is a lie," said the other.

"You enjoyed your walk?" asked the mother of Arria, addressing
Vergilius.

"The walk was a delight to me and its end a sorrow," he answered.

"And you obeyed me?"

"To the letter." It is true, he thought, we are a generation of liars,
but how may one help it? Then, quickly, a way seemed to suggest
itself, and he added: "Madame, forgive me. I do now remember we had a
word or two about love; but, you see, I was telling the legend of this
coin. It has the power to show one if he be loved."

"By tossing?"

"By tossing. Head, yes; the reverse,