“The guilty will always suffer,” replied the minister. “Can friends greet each other without exile or death being pronounced?” “Honest friends have never been molested.” “Was Claudia dishonest?” “I fought to save her life more than thou didst,” said Sejanus. “It is terrible to think of that persecuted and outraged woman,” said Agrippina, passing her hand over her eyes. “Ay; the blame of that deed rests with the Senate.” “That is hard to believe,” she said with a sigh. Abruptly dropping this embarrassing subject, Sejanus exclaimed, “Thy son Nero will rejoice when Tiberius leaves the city.” “Has he told thee so?” she asked quickly. “Nay; but he will be more free.” “Thinkest thou so?” “Ay. Nero is a promising son of the noble Germanicus. He is beloved by the Senate.” “He deserves their affection.” “And Drusus is also beloved, but by the legions. He prefers the life of a soldier.” “Ay; but that will be denied him.” “Why? When the emperor is absent, Drusus may not be hindered from joining the legions. He is a noble youth, and is loved by the Praetorians.” “Speakest thou the truth, O Sejanus?” “I have eyes and ears, and I can feel the pulse of the legions as no one else can.” “But what if the soldiers love Drusus?” she queried. “I will make reply to that question after the emperor leaves the city. May the gods bless thee and thy family, O granddaughter of the Divine Augustus! I will not tire thee now with more of my words. Fare thee well, O woman favored by the gods!” “Fare thee well, O Sejanus!” After passing through this ordeal, Agrippina breathed a sigh of relief. She recalled the words that she had spoken, and analyzed them to see what different meanings they might contain, but she could recall nothing that could be construed as treasonable. She called for a cup of water and ordered a slave to fan her gently. While she thus reclined on her comfortable _cathedra_, a message was brought that the emperor was coming to visit her. She had not seen Tiberius since she had pleaded before him for the life of her dear friend Claudia. When he appeared, she remained seated and with great dignity bade him welcome. The emperor had become stouter. The pimples on his face had disappeared, but in their stead ragged and streaked scars had been left, resembling metallic veins in an ugly piece of marble. When he addressed Agrippina, he never looked directly at her, but always gave her a sliding glance. “The gods have been gracious to thee,” he said to her. “Ay, O Tiberius. For what ends?” “Our lives are what we make them, O Agrippina.” “True. There are those who smile at grief.” “Where are thy daughters Drusilla and Julia?” “They are with Antonia.” “But this day I have chosen their husbands.” “Couldst thou not have consulted me before making thy choice?” “’Twould have been useless. Even if we might have consulted, thou wouldst have had thine objections.”