Calpurnia was now dressed and ready to meet Caesar. Her hair was in order. She tried to look calm, but she felt that her eyes were huge and on the verge of tears.

He was at work, as she had supposed, his secretary Faberius and a couple of scribes in attendance. He looked up as she entered. "Good morning, my dear. You are up early. How are you?", he asked.
He was looking at her as though he knew. His eyes were always intent but she felt they were boring into her.

"Caesar", she started in a small voice, "will you please stay home with me today? I am not feeling well".