“My appetite has lately left me,” answered Tiberius, closely regarding his son. Drusus lowered his gaze as he said, “Thou wilt not refuse a cup of wine?” Again Tiberius glanced critically at Drusus. “Offer me no wine at present, O Drusus,” he replied. Still addressing his father, Drusus said, “’Twas with great regret I learned that our grandmother Livia could not attend our dinner.” To these words, which were received as an insult, Tiberius sarcastically replied, “With equal regret I heard that it would be impossible for Sejanus to attend.” Drusus had meant no insolence, but the words of his father were a direct affront. Curbing his anger, but speaking in a loud tone, he said, “Henceforth, O father, refrain from speaking that name before me.” At the loud, harsh tones of Drusus the guests became even more constrained. With a deeper frown on his forehead and a sneer on his lips, Tiberius said: “Thou knowest not the man thou abusest. No one in Rome sacrifices personal pleasures for public duties more than he does. Affairs of state occupy all his time. His unselfish nature is one that all should imitate. Vilify the sluggard who revels continually. Revile not the just. Sejanus is my friend, and nothing shall be spoken before _me_ that tends to dishonor him.” Hearing his father thus championing the cause of Sejanus, Drusus, although chagrined, assumed a respectful demeanor, and rising from his couch and approaching his father, said: “Then let discord go her way, O father Tiberius! The impetuosity of anger often produces burning words. We will drink a toast to peace. Let bitterness be washed away by the crimson wine! What, ho! a toast!” At this command Lygdus entered, bearing on a silver tray several cups of silver and one of gold. A slave bore a large urn filled with wine. Drusus took the vessel and filled the golden cup and one of silver. Lygdus passed the cups to the emperor, who took the one of silver. Drusus, seeing the golden cup left for him, said, “This cup is for thee, O father!” “Nay, my son,” said Tiberius, with his eyes riveted on Drusus. “But I insist, O father!” “Golden words of peace should be bathed with wine from a golden cup,” said Tiberius, with an effort at calmness. “But come,” he added, “a toast to peace and the absent Sejanus!” Livilla anxiously watched every motion of Tiberius, Drusus, and Lygdus. She nervously clutched a pillow from the couch, and unconsciously compressed it with such violence that she felt the firm pressure of her fingers on the palm of her hand. In her excitement she drew her cheek between her teeth, and bit it so hard that it bled.