[_Gleva faces the spur of the hill on her left as if all her world
was there. There is a movement among the trees on the spur, a flash
of armour in the moonlight, and at the edge of the trees appears
Quintus Calpurnius Aulus, a Captain about thirty-five years old,
handsome, but in repose his face is stern and inscrutable. He is
active, lithe, self-confident. He comes out into the open just
below the trees, and stands quite still. His very attitude should
suggest strength._]
Quintus: I am here. (_He speaks with the voice of a man accustomed to
command, and to have his orders obeyed without question. Gleva stands
erect questioning his authority. Then she crosses her hands upon her
bosom and bows her head._)
Gleva: My Lord Calpurnius.
[_Calpurnius laughs. He runs down the slope._]
Calpurnius: That's well. (_He takes her in his arms._) You have a
trick of saying "Calpurnius." I shall remember it till I die.
[_Gleva draws away from him._]
Say it again.
Gleva: With all my soul in the word. It is a prayer. Calpurnius!
[_Calpurnius is moved by the passion of her voice. He takes her
hands in his._]
Calpurnius: Yes. I shall remember till I die. (_They move towards the
bank._)
Gleva: My lord is late to-night.
Calpurnius: Late! A Roman soldier of fifteen years' service late. My
dear, let us talk sense. Come!
[_The trumpet sounds again from the hill. Calpurnius stops._]
Gleva: Why does the trumpet sound?
Calpurnius: To call some straggler back to Rome.