[There is general amusement which is however near to tears.]

Tertulla.

Why, it never can be I! Why, last time I looked in a glass I saw....

Valentinus.

[Putting Quartilla in front of Tertulla.] This!

Tertulla.

Oh, my little sister! Tilla is what Tulla was, when her sky grew dark!

Quartilla.

Dear Tulla!

[They embrace tenderly.]

Valentinus.

Come, now! There is one other who can wait no longer! [He turns Tertulla toward Asterius who stands rigid and speechless with emotion.]

Tertulla.

[Doubtfully.] Oh ... that gentleman.... Surely he never can be Jupiter! [In awe-struck tone.]

Asterius.

[Holds out his arms to her.] Tulla ... my child!

Tertulla.

[Running to his embrace.] My father! O my father!

Asterius.

She sees ... my daughter sees, thanks to the immortal gods and goddesses, and this blessed worker of prodigies!

Valentinus.

Oh, merely a little skill, reinforced by healing onion juice and oil of balsam!

Asterius.

We must have a feast, a regular banquet to celebrate the glorious event! Nerva, give orders that this shall be done instantly!

Tertulla.

Oh, joyful day! A banquet! But first, Maronis, come, help me improve the fashion of my hair! [Looking at herself critically in the mirror.]

Maronis.

[Laughing happily.] Hear that now! Like Narcissus she will fall in love with her own reflection! [Tertulla goes with Maronis and Quartilla, all talking happily.]

Asterius.

[To Valentinus.] Ask of me, demand what you will in repayment! It is yours unchallenged! Meanwhile to each of my household his heart’s desire! For you, you impudent rascal Nerva, remission of all the floggings you already deserve, and will deserve during the coming hebdomad. Also all the sweets you can stuff yourself with! As for you, Pertinax, my faithful Pertinax, on the soonest day that the Prætor sits in Court, you shall go before him to have the rod of liberty laid on your head! More. In addition to your freedom will I bestow on you the beginnings and makings of a farm of your own!

Pertinax.

[Overcome with joy.] Freedman and landed proprietor ... I ... Pertinax! Oh, felicitous omen!

Asterius.

In gratitude I declare myself follower of your faith, Valentinus! Myself and my entire household!

Valentinus.

Again, softly! It may not be achieved so hastily!

Asterius.

What! If any one of my family refuses to believe what I order him to believe I’ll have him flogged till he does so believe! Oh, come what may of it, you’ll find there’s no better Christian in Italy than I! Come, now; to the banquet!

Pertinax.

[Advancing.] Master ... I mean, Asterius; as one freedman and landed proprietor to another I ask your daughter Asteria Tertia in marriage!

Asterius.

[Nearly speechless with wrath.] What! Do my ears play me tricks? This ... this ... this scum asks ... Tertulla....

Pertinax.

My blood, Asterius, is not ignoble! I was not bought from a dealer’s cage in the market! I am no tippler at the hot liquor shops, or gossiper in the ante-room, like certain ones! [Looking at Nerva who is stifling his mirth at the anger of Asterius.] I have some scholarship, and, as you should know, no little agricultural skill! And if the maid should not look on me with disfavour....

Asterius.

Away with you to extreme and uttermost perdition! May you be buffeted with fists....

Nerva.

[Enjoying this, echoes.] Buffeted with fists!

Asterius.

... jerked with rods....

Nerva.

That’s it; jerked with rods!

Asterius.

... pricked with goads!...

Nerva.

Pricked with goads ... sharp, sharp goads!

Asterius.

... pinched with red-hot tongs....

Nerva.

... with sizzling, red-hot tongs....

Asterius.

... roasted over scorching flames and thrown to wild beasts to be devoured! [He goes by the curtained way.]

Nerva.

... hungry wild beasts ... munch ... crunch! to be devoured! M-m-m! [He follows Asterius.]

Pertinax.

Oh, infamous! And all because of your abominable miracles! [To Valentinus. He goes out by the door.]

[Valentinus sits quietly meditating in the waning light, and to him comes Quartilla with her caged bird.]

Quartilla.

Everybody is unhappy and my dove has ceased to coo!

[She sets the cage among the flowers, then, seating herself beside Valentinus, slips her hand into his. Thus are they when Asterius enters quietly, and also seats himself. After a slight pause he speaks.]

Asterius.

Will you baptise me a Christian to-night or to-morrow, Valentinus?

Valentinus.

Neither then nor now, Asterius, nor ever, while your heart remains hard and your spirit proud!

Asterius.

But, consider, now.... Had Tulla remained blind I could have borne with the fellow’s impudence; might even have reconciled myself to the match! But Tulla with her eyesight is another matter! My eldest daughter is married to a man with a porch to his house as large as one belonging to a public building! My second son-in-law has an estate at the seventh milestone on the Appian Way! I myself do not need to go to the public baths; I have added a fine equipment to the house with the most elaborate devices for warm and cold water and hot air!

[There is a slight pause.]

Valentinus.

Hark!

Quartilla.

What do you hear?

Valentinus.

A ring-dove, calling for its mate!... Quick, Tilla! Set your poor prisoner free! [Putting the cage into her hand and opening the door that leads into the lane.]

Quartilla.

[Almost crying.] What, my dove that I paid money for?... Let it go?

Valentinus.

Why, now, child, it is for this very thing you paid your money ... to give it back its stolen happiness!... See, already it lifts its drooping head ... ready to answer the call of life, and spring, and love!

Quartilla.

[Opening the door of the cage as she goes out.] Farewell, my dove!... Drop a feather from the wing of your happiness, and send a note from your song of joy back to Quartilla!... Kindly fare you well!

Asterius.

[Rising, addresses Valentinus.] You think me in the wrong, but Tulla herself is averse to the idea! [Valentinus makes no reply.] I will send her here that you yourself may question her!

Tertulla.

[Entering.] How wonderful to learn the world all over again! Valentinus! I would speak with Valentinus!

Quartilla.

[Enters with her empty cage.] It has flown away! [She sighs.] I’m glad someone is happy at last! Poor Pertinax is pacing up and down the lane with a face three cubits long!

Asterius.

[With contempt.] Pertinax, forsooth! Come with me, Quartilla! [Quartilla goes with him.]

Tertulla.

[Also with contempt.] Pertinax, indeed! My father informed me of his presumptuous proposal! Shall one who has been honoured by a god put on the saffron-coloured wedding veil and slippers for a gardener? [Pertinax appears at the door.]

Valentinus.

But such a gardener! [Indicating the flowers.]

Tertulla.

[In surprise.] Oh! How came these here? Flowers that by the grace of Faunus, blossom for Tertulla while the gardens of others are still a barren waste!

Valentinus.

Brought by the human deputy of the divinity ... good Pertinax!

Tertulla.

[Thoughtfully.] Pertinax! [She fondles the flowers.] My friends! Do you know that at last I see you with the eyes of my body as of my spirit? [Kisses the flowers.]

[Pertinax sighs. Tertulla hearing, starts up.]

Who sighed then? Surely not Faunus! Surely Faunus is no longer angry with his handmaiden? Valentinus, you always counsel wisely! How can I propitiate the god, assuring him of my continued loyal service?

Valentinus.

True service implies many things, Tertulla, among which not the least is gratitude! Under the favour of Heaven human hands were needed to protect the tender roots from the cruelties of winter, to water them in days of drought, and foster their growth! The miracle of the god could be wrought only by the devotion of a man!

Tertulla.

[After a slight pause.] If Pertinax is within hearing let him advance to receive my thanks!

[At a sign from Valentinus, Pertinax obeys, on which Tertulla addresses him with much dignity.]

Although not condoning the presumption of your suit, Pertinax, yet.... [She breaks off with a slight cry.] Why ... yours was the last face I saw before my vision went to sleep, when you, a boy, drew me from the reach of the all-devouring flames! [She turns aside with emotion.] An act but for which I should still be.... How unmindful have I been all these years! But now ... you shall find me not ungrateful!

Pertinax.

I ask nothing, Asteria Tertia, but pardon for the offence of having lifted my own eyes toward you!... With the freedom your Jove-like father has this day bestowed on me I withdraw from his service, never to cross the threshold of your life again!... Kindly fare-you-well! [He turns to go.]

Tertulla.

[With a little cry.] Oh! But my garden!... Valentinus, what, think you, would Faunus have me do with my affairs in such case? [In a whisper to Valentinus.]

Valentinus.

What does your own heart counsel you, Tertulla? [He places in her hand a blossoming spray.] Close your eyes again and dwell for a space in the chambers of your spirit! [Tertulla does as he bids.] What see you now?

Tertulla.

Of course the image of the god Faunus is lodged in the sacred penetralia, never to be displaced by other object of veneration. [Pertinax sighs heavily. She continues hesitatingly.] And yet....

Valentinus.

Ah? And how appears the god; in what image, Tulla?

Tertulla.

Strange! A circumstance beyond my power to explain, but.... [She speaks confidentially so that Pertinax shall not overhear.] Think me not sacrilegious, Valentinus, when I say he resembles Pertinax!

Pertinax.

[Having crept close to listen.] O felicitous omen! Accept it, Asteria Tertia, and that you shall not repent yourself of it will I dedicate my life!

Tertulla.

[Opening eyes.] Would you? [To Valentinus.]

Valentinus.

[Nodding assent.] I would indeed, were I Tertulla!

Tertulla.

Then, Pertinax, since what even now seemed presumption on your part is presented to me as an act commended by the immortal gods and goddesses...!

[Holds out a hand to him.]

Pertinax.

O joyful day! Words fail me! Even Anacreon disowns me! I can only express myself in terms of horticulture! Already the myrtle beloved of Venus puts forth shoots, and blossoming with the rose, twines itself in a nuptial wreath about Tertulla’s brow!

Tertulla.

How beautiful! Speak more to me in such fashion! [Draws him aside.]

Asterius.

[In the inner room.] Bring in the banquet. Set the tables. Place the couches! Let nothing be wanting to the feast! [He enters, followed by Nerva and slaves bearing lamps, dishes, and all the material for a royal feast.] This spot, which witnessed the prodigy of my child’s restoration to sight, shall witness equally our gratitude!... Well, Valentinus! Has Tulla convinced you of her loathing for that insect Pertinax? If so we will amuse ourselves while feasting in devising means to torture him, after which we will all be baptised! I understand your god insists on mercy to one’s enemies, wherefore I delay allegiance to him till Pertinax shall have been torn limb from limb!

Nerva.

[Smacking his lips.] Limb from limb! M-m! [Suddenly catches sight of the two lovers, and exclaims, nearly dropping the dish he holds.] Now, by Hercules...!

Asterius.

[Making for Nerva with stick.] Thumb-fingered one!

Quartilla.

O see my sister who clasps hands with Pertinax!

Asterius.

[Also seeing the two.] What! Does my vision play me tricks? Worker of prodigies, is this your deed?

Quartilla.

[Dancing about.] A miracle! A miracle!

Valentinus.

Only the miracle of youth!

Tertulla.

[Imploring.] Father!

Pertinax.

[Also imploring.] Father-in-law!

Asterius.

[Almost speechless.] Father and father-in-law! Now, by— [Nerva splutters with laughter, on which he raises his stick to him, then drops it.] O ye gods! In vain do I remind myself that I am a Roman father! Vainly do I call to mind the portico of one son-in-law, the estate at the seventh milestone of the other! Even the bath fails me, the bath equipped with hot and cold water and hot air! I am not enraged as I should be! Even the brazen-tongued Nerva causes me mirth rather than fury!

Quartilla.

[Dancing about.] A miracle! A miracle!

Valentinus.

Only the miracle of kindness working in your own good heart, Asterius!

Asterius.

Then without more words let us to the banquet lest the meats grow cold while miracles are multiplied!

[All take places at table.]

Tertulla.

[Whispers to Valentinus.] Think you will Pertinax forgive me for my adoration for the god Faunus?

Valentinus.

Surely, by the aid of the miracle of love!

Pertinax.

[Also goes to Valentinus, speaking to him apart.] Think you that my wife will expect impossible deeds of me, mistaking me for a god?

Valentinus.

Fear not! That danger will be prevented by the miracle of marriage!

[All take places at the tables, reclining on the couches that servants have brought. Musicians begin a prelude on flute, lyre, and harp. Suddenly Quartilla starts up, lifting a hand for silence.]

Quartilla.

Oh, listen! [There is a general hush.] My dove ... my dove has found its mate!