“From the clear skies anguish sometimes falls,” again Agrippina sadly but kindly warned the gentle maiden. Intently they watched the boat as it gradually drew near the island. When the anchor had been cast and a small boat had brought some passengers to the land, a cheer rang out from the soldiers who had gathered at the landing. Shortly after, the officer who guarded the prisoners approached them and handed a letter to Psyche. “A letter for me!” said the dancing-girl, with her eyes opened wide with surprise. “Perchance, good news!” said the officer, as he went away. “Look, my lady!” said Psyche, excitedly. “’Tis Macro’s seal!” “Let me see, my child,” said Agrippina. “Ah! Macro is prefect! Can it be that Sejanus is emperor? Hasten thou, my child; read the contents!” Quickly breaking the seal, Psyche read the first few words. “’Tis from Gyges!” she screamed with joy. “He is safe! My parents are free! Oh! my lady, said I not that the boat bore good tidings?” “Read on, O Psyche!” “Sejanus is dead! Oh! my lady, our enemy has at last received his punishment. Papers for my release have gone to the emperor for his signature! O ye celestial gods, I thank thee! I thank thee!” “Says Gyges nothing more, my child?” asked Agrippina, moved to unwonted cheerfulness by the excessive joy of Psyche. “Ay, my lady! I am so happy I know not what to do!” She continued reading. Her face was radiant, and her black eyes danced as she looked at the letter. Suddenly she uttered a scream. Her face grew white, her eyes frightened. A terrible revulsion of feeling had seized her. Agrippina quickly asked, “What has happened, my child?” “O my sweet lady, I love thee. I have tried to lighten thy burden of grief. Yet I had to be the bearer of the news of Nero’s death. Tell me that thou lovest me.” “Dear child, I know not what thou meanest. We have lived together many days. We have been more than friends. Why dost thou speak so wildly?” “I am now calm,” said Psyche, breathing a deep sigh. “The path of joy along which I so quickly ran ended on the edge of an abyss.” “Thy parents are not crazed by confinement?” “Nay, my lady,” said Psyche, and then relapsed into silence. “Ah, my child, I begin to understand thee. The abyss is news of fresh anguish for me. Said I not that from the clearest skies anguish sometimes falls? What--what has now happened to my family?” “Forgive me, my lady, forgive me! Drusus is no more!” “They have killed him!” cried Agrippina, bewildered. “He was starved to death, my lady. Oh, let me shed tears for thee, for thine eyes are dry,” said Psyche, as she threw her arms around the neck of her companion and sobbed aloud. For some time Agrippina uttered no word. Her face had become rigid, her eyes wild. Finally she rose and said: “Come, Psyche, I have been taught how to die. Come, come, come!” The last word was whispered with an indescribable moan. “Whither goest thou?” “I too will die.” “Oh! my sweet lady! nay! Speak not such words!”