“Have done with thy deceit!” he interrupted. “Has he written thee also to-day?” “He has, my lord,” she fearlessly replied. “What mean these meetings, O deceitful woman? What is in these letters he sends thee? Where didst thou see him?” “In my room--” “Alone?” he bawled. “In thy room with that villain! Thou hast the insolence to tell _me_ that?” “We were not alone. My servants were with me.” “Thou liest!” he shrieked. “There is no truth in thee. Thy face is fair, thy heart evil!” cried the infuriated man, pacing up and down the room. Neither spoke for some time. Suddenly Drusus stopped walking, and roared a command that the servant Marcia should be brought before him. When the trembling maid appeared, he asked her, “Where wert thou when Sejanus was here?” The poor woman knew not how to reply. She looked beseechingly at Livilla. “Strip her and lash her until her tongue is loosened,” ordered Drusus, breathing heavily. At the sight of her favorite maid being brutally handled by the servants of Drusus, Livilla became infuriated. Rushing between them, her eyes flashing fire, she cried: “Canst thou not believe a truthful wife, O son of Tiberius, without questioning her servants? I have told thee that Sejanus came here to say that he would not be at the dinner to-morrow evening.” Taking this cue from her mistress, the woman now easily answered the questions of Drusus. When the ordeal was over and Drusus and Livilla were left alone, he said: “Marcia must be dismissed. One of _my_ selection will take her place. And now, O Livilla, never again must that man see thee in thy room. I hate him. No hatred can be more intense. He hates me too. He would have preferred to see my father without an heir, for then there would have been one obstacle less between him and his coveted goal. He is a thorn in my side. So continually does he torment me that my only solace is in the cup.” He clapped his hands, and a servant appeared. “Thou shalt remain with me, O Livilla,” he commanded. “Nay, my lord. I wish to be alone,” she replied, as she proudly walked from the room. “I will not be alone!” he cried to his servant. “Go! Seek some friends! Tell them that Drusus will drink to-night. Tell them that Bacchus will rule on the Esquiline. Go, boy!” * * * * *