Suddenly, without warning, his vision blurred and the headache began again. He'd felt fine over the weekend; now Calpurnia's face glimmered in his sight and he felt a sense of falling away, as if he could no longer feel his legs, as if he wasn't sure if he were upright or not. There was only the throbbing tightness, the band around his skull.

She must not know. He tried to sit, casually, and felt for the wine cup with his dimming sight.

"Well, then, let it be Caesar's pleasure," he heard himself saying, as if the voice came from another room. He rejoiced at its easy tone. "It's true I slept little, due to the storm. I shall send for Antonius he will give the Senate my message; that Caesar is not pleased to attend today."


In this condition, he thought wryly, the last thing he needed was for the Senate to see the Dictator half-blind and shaking. Perhaps it was just as well Calpurnia had given him the excuse.