“The death of Drusus has created mixed feelings among the people,” continued Sejanus, addressing Agrippina. “Some are sad, others are happy.” “Truly, no one is glad, O Sejanus?” “Through the city reports are flying that the Julian family rejoices,” he remarked, with a crafty glance at Agrippina. “’Tis not true! Drusus was a protector to the Julian family,” challenged Agrippina. “The heir to the empire a protector to rival claimants!” exclaimed Sejanus. “Ay; well dost thou know he treated my children as his own,” said Agrippina. “I know he tried to win the love of the people by his mock protection,” sneered Sejanus. “Revile not the dead, O Sejanus.” “Then the Julian family grieves?” he asked. “The Julian family rejoices not over the grief of others,” she replied, carefully choosing her words. “Where is thy mourning, O descendant of Augustus?” he inquired. “When Germanicus--peace be to his spirit!--died, the whole city put on mourning. To-day few are clothed in black.” “Is that fault to be charged against the Julian family?” asked Agrippina. “Nay,” he replied, vexed at her self-control. Then he added: “The funeral of Drusus will take place two days hence. ’Twill be a gorgeous display. All the effigies of the Julian and Claudian families will be borne in the procession.” “The effigies of the Julian family are to be carried!” exclaimed Agrippina. “But he had not blood of that family in his veins!” “Ay; effigies that were forbidden at the funeral of the noble Germanicus are to be borne at the funeral of Drusus,” he declared, rejoicing that he had at last moved her. “Are those the orders of the emperor?” she asked. “Ay, O Agrippina,” he replied. “Then must we be content,” she most diplomatically responded. “Art thou not enraged to see these symbols so dishonored?” he insisted. “Nay; the Roman people must be the judges of this act. The lips of Agrippina are sealed.” “But the thoughts of Agrippina?” “The thoughts of Agrippina are her own,” replied Agrippina, imperiously. “Thou speakest not freely, O Agrippina. Surely thou canst trust one who wishes thee and thy family well.” “I trust no one,” she retorted, looking at him so piercingly that he lowered his eyes. “My house is an ear that gathers our conversation for a brain that is heated against us. But this morning I found a spy writing down the words I spoke to Drusus. Ah!--but I will say no more.” “Art thou sure he was a spy?” he inquired. “Why dost _thou_ ask that question?” she bitterly demanded. “Who could wish to spy upon thee?” he asked in a tone of surprise. “That is another question, answered before asked,” she retorted. “Confide in me, O Agrippina,” he said in a tender tone. “I revere the Julian family. Was I not in the service of thy beloved brother Caius? Did I not serve him well? The death of Drusus opens the way for one of thy sons to rule. Nero will now inherit the fortunes of the empire. I will serve him as faithfully as I do the emperor. Fear me not.”