“Ah, my love, of a truth thou hast been a faithful lover. Be now a faithful husband. My love for thee is also as strong as when I first yielded my heart to thy power.” “’Tis no stronger than the love I bear thee, my Livilla. But I must return to the camp,” he suddenly added, as he kissed her lips and withdrew from her embrace. “Farewell, sweet heart! Future joys be thine!” “Farewell, O my lover!” she responded, looking at him lovingly with her dreamy eyes. After another lingering kiss Sejanus departed. Escorted by his guards, he proceeded towards the camp. As he passed a group of Senators, two of them lowered their gaze. “’Tis an insult!” said Sejanus to himself, hastening on his way. When he was in his office, he sent for Macro. “Balbus and Statius have dared to insult me. Arrest them!” sharply commanded Sejanus. “Surely the future consul shall brave no affronts from such men! Perchance a new plot is forming against the emperor and me. Be vigilant, O Macro! Let the soldiers be prepared to attack if there be need!” “Ay, my lord,” said Macro, turning away. “Hold!” roughly ordered Sejanus. “Thou didst go to Tusculum two weeks since.” “Ay, my lord,” said Macro, watching carefully his master’s face. “Each time thou didst return the same night. Who was the young man thou didst meet there?” questioned Sejanus. “’Twas a friend of Antonia,” answered Macro. “Ay?” added Sejanus, interrogatively. “But thou didst also visit Antonia. Thou didst send a letter for her to Capri by this same young man whom thou didst see at Tusculum.” “’Tis true, my lord,” said Macro, struggling to regain his composure. “The passport for the young man was made in the name of Attius,” continued Sejanus. “But I have already told thee that no message should be sent to Capri except through my hands.” “Ay, my lord; but this was but a trivial affair,” replied Macro, relieved that Sejanus had learned nothing further. “’Twas but a favor for Antonia.” “Hereafter even trivial things pertaining to the emperor must be seen by me,” said the minister. “What news of the Greek who left Casinum?” “The one who went to Capua is arrested, my lord; the other, who went to Tusculum, has now been tracked to Rome. On the morrow he will be a prisoner,” said Macro. “Thou art a faithful servant, O Macro. The office of prefect may soon be thine. On the morrow I will go to the Senate House attended by a guard. Thou shalt accompany me. Let the guards thou choosest be picked men.” “Ay, my lord,” said Macro, as he left the office.