“Not seriously,” answered Drusus.
“Verily, I must go and see her. And how is thy aunt Livilla?”
“She smiled at me,” replied the youth. “Truly, no one laments my uncle’s death but his daughter Julia. Even thou, O mother, art not sad.”
“Ah, my son, I have suffered and still suffer,” sadly responded the mother. “Nothing but excruciating sorrow can affect one who is constantly beset with grief.”
“Didst thou not like Drusus, my mother?”
“In his death the family of Germanicus suffered a great loss,” replied Agrippina.
“Why, O mother?”
“He loved thy father. He loved thee, thy sisters, and thy brothers. He suffered from the neglect of an unnatural father. Sejanus was his enemy. Beware of that man, my son! Ay,” she continued, as if dreaming, “Drusus loved us, but his love brought with it the hate of Sejanus. Now the minister, in these few days, has become friendly. I repeat it, beware of that man! His words are poison. Hast thou seen the emperor?”
“He will see no one but Sejanus,” replied Drusus.
“What news of Livia?”