“Julia shall marry Marcus Vinicus; Drusilla, Lucius Cassius,—both men of renowned families. Thy daughters will not marry for some years. I wish them to be taught to revere their ‘future husbands.’”
“Both are honorable men,” she said approvingly.
There was a studied and cold politeness in all the words they spoke. Tiberius said, “I have also come to deprive thee of thy son Caligula.”
“What wouldst thou with him?” she nervously asked.
“Since the death of one of the twins of Livilla, I propose to rear the remaining one under mine own eyes. I wish that Caligula may be his companion.”
“Ay, O Tiberius; but he can be his companion and still live with me. They will be near each other, for thy palace and my house are joined together. Ask me not to give him up at his age.”
“There can be no reasons why he should not live in the palace,” insisted the cruel emperor.
“Ay, but he is my youngest son and the only one that is left me. Take him not away.”
“I have said,” he coldly replied. “He will be free to come and see thee, and thou canst visit him. He will not be poisoned there.”
“I fear not that, O Tiberius.”