Harrowed by the uncertainty regarding the fate of Gyges and her parents, she passed her days in hope, fear, and despair. One morning she was surprised to hear a commanding voice give an order in the corridor. These were the first words she had heard since her imprisonment. When she recognized the voice of Sejanus, she gave a start. She heard him stop before her door and order that no one should be allowed to walk in the corridor while he was there. When he had entered and locked the door, he noticed that Psyche had retreated to the farther end of the cell.
“Thou fearest me?” he said.
Psyche made no reply. She stood upright and clenched her hands.
“Thou dost not fear me,” he said, answering his own question as he sat down upon her bed.
Still Psyche remained silent.
“If thou dost not fear, thou must be glad to see me,” he said with an evil smile.
“What dost thou wish here?” she asked.
“Be not frightened. I am not a severe man. I have even refrained from torturing thee. I keep thee and thy parents in the camp, on account of laws that rule me. In my soldier nature, O light-footed dancer, there runs a vein of kindness. Thy brother was treated well in the camp. I even promoted him. But in despair at being caught in a dishonest act, he threw himself from the roof of the barracks. Oh that he might have given me an opportunity to forgive him!”
“What dishonest act did he perform?”
“He read my private letters.”