“She has told Piso that she fears thou wilt poison her.”
Tiberius pounded his hand on the table as he said in his drawling tone: “Is that why she refuses to eat when she attends my dinners? Ah! she fears me!”
“Nay, she fears no one,” said Sejanus, recalling his conversation with her. “She distrusts thee and thy friends.”
“She insults me with her imperiousness. Her cousin, Claudia Pulchra, is also insolent.”
“Cannot the pride of Agrippina be broken by an attack on her dearest relation, Claudia?”
“Claudia is a model of purity,” said Tiberius.
“Models of purity can be easily remodelled,” sneered Sejanus.
“What wouldst thou do?” asked the emperor. “No one would take a case against her.”
“Domitius Afer, an orator, comes highly recommended,” suggested Sejanus. “He is young and has his honors to gain. Give him the case. Bribed accusers can easily be obtained. Teach the people, O Tiberius, teach Agrippina the respect that is due thee.”
“Ay, that will I do. But what shall Claudia’s crime be?”