“Ah, but what corner of the empire could long hide the daughter of Antonia and the minister of Tiberius?” he asked. “But, O my love, I cannot here in Rome become thy wife,” she cried. “Thy love is impotent if so thy feelings are ruled. That is not like the love I bear thee. O my Livilla, I have sacrificed wife, children, friends, for thee. Ay, for thee I would even sacrifice my power. What more can a man do?” His passionate words overcame her fear. She yielded and said, “I consent.” Then she whispered: “Send Lygdus to me. Complete thy plans. I will share everything with thee, bear everything with thee.” “Of a truth, thou canst not desire to live longer with the man who abuses thee worse than his slaves,” said Sejanus. “Gamblers, drunkards, unscrupulous and dissolute men and women, are his friends. He loves the mute statues on these walls more than he loves thee. He would not sacrifice a cup of wine to make thee happy.” Sejanus again placed his arms around her, and with his lips near hers he continued: “I love thee, O my Livilla, with all the strength of my nature. In the very marrow of my bones I long for thee always. True love is no crime. The gods have so loved. Forsake Drusus, who insults thee. Come to the arms of one who adores thee.” “May the gods forgive me if it be a sin; but I love thee, O my Sejanus, I love thee!” As Livilla spoke these words, he covered her mouth with kisses. He led her to a couch, and seating himself beside her, said: “I have never seen thee more beautiful than thou art now. This struggle has made thy lovely face more radiant than that of Eos. Be not gloomy! A bird sings louder and more joyously when freed from its cage. Love’s flame burns brighter when fed by pure oil. Thy beautiful hands will never be stained with my crimes. Let me kiss thy fingers! Let me kiss thy mouth! Let me love thee now.” The splash of the water in the fountain, the happy voices of the little twins at play, a joyful song from the lips of Julia, Livilla’s daughter, were the only sounds that entered through the curtained door while the wicked lovers sat locked in each other’s arms. Livilla started when she thought of the time, and said, “The day is fleeting, O my love; thou must now depart.” “Tell me, before I go,” asked Sejanus, loosening his embrace, “was the letter sealed which thou didst send me this morning?” “Ay, my Sejanus. Never do I send a letter without a seal.” “Gannon gave it me unsealed.” “I like not thy Gannon,” she said, frowning. “He is impertinent. He angered me this morning. I wrote the letter hastily, but I am sure I did not forget the seal.” “Have I been so mistaken in the boy?” questioned Sejanus. “He told me he did not read the reply.” “Hast thou such faith in him?” she asked. Then in a warning tone she said: “Beware, O Sejanus! Trust him not. But go! Send Lygdus to-morrow morning! Come to me after the dinner to-morrow night!” The shameless lovers then embraced and separated.