“Hail, Sejanus!” he said, as he sprang from the couch.
“Hail to thee, O son of Germanicus!” said Sejanus. “Where is thy mother?”
“With Nero,” replied the lad.
“He is thy mother’s favorite son,” said Sejanus, as he watched the face of Drusus.
“Ay; Nero is loved by us all.”
“By thee, too?” asked the minister, craftily trying to sow seeds of envy in the heart of Drusus.
“Ay, by me too! Why not?”
“He loves thee not,” answered Sejanus.
“How knowest thou that?” demanded Drusus.
“He told me but this morning that thou art slow and easily imposed upon,” replied Sejanus, contemptuously.