“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.”