“I fear nothing,” she answered, forcing an air of composure.
“Then be calm, I pray thee. Didst thou ever see thy mother so ill at ease, O daughter Julia?”
“Her hands are cold,” said Julia. “Art thou ill, O mother?”
“Nay, my daughter,” replied the mother, trying to smile.
A burst of laughter interrupted them. Claudius, who was the centre of a small group, was receiving humorous attacks made upon him by Nero.
“Of a truth, Livilla,” said Drusus, “thy brother grows stouter every day. His life can be summed up in three words,—eat, drink, and sleep. Go, Julia, join thy cousins and be happy.”
“But why tarries the emperor?” again impatiently asked Livilla.
“Mayhap Sejanus detains him,” said Drusus. “New honors, O Livilla, have been awarded the minister, while I receive nothing. Insulted in the Senate has our grandmother, Livia, been this day by our father. Insulted also have I been by him. The Senate decreed me honors which my father would not allow. O Livilla, Sejanus, my enemy, is loved by my father, whilst I, the heir, am hated. Verily do I believe that my death would be welcomed by them both!”
Livilla made no reply. She played with the rings on her fingers as she gazed vacantly before her. She started when Drusus added, “Is not that true?”
“What didst thou say, O Drusus?”