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310 DARKNESS AND DAWN
Alas ! the conscience of Seneca did not suggest to him this
means by which he could extricate himself. That Agrippina
was, at such a crisis, preparing to rebel against her son he
did not believe; but might she not so whispered to him
once more the demon of concession might she not become
dangerous hereafter? In other words, must he not help the
Emperor to accomplish his fell purpose The ? silence became
intolerable.
At lust Seneca turned his troubled eyes on Burrus, as though
to inquire whether it would be safe to command the execution
of Agrippina by the Praetorians.
Burrus understood his look and bluntly replied that such a
thing was not to be thought of. The Praetorians would never
lift a hand against the daughter of Germanicus. The same
thought had been in his mind as in that of Seneca, though he
liad blushed to give it utterance. But now that he saw the
drift of his colleague's purpose, he gulped down his scruples,
'
and said with sullen brevity, Let Auicetus complete what he
has begun.'
Anicetus had been on board the deceitful vessel, and, on
the failure of the device, had made his way with all speed
iu a rowing boat to the Emperor's
villa. He entered at the
moment when Burrus spoke. Nero turned on him a look
of rage, and, walking up to him, stammered into his ear
the threat that his life should pay the penalty of his clumsy
failure.
'
Be calm, Csesar,' he replied in a '
whisper ; your wish shall
still be accomplished. Only give me your authority to end
the
business.'
Anicetus hated Agrippina for private reasons, and he knew
'
that, if she were not put to death, she would demand vengeance
upon him, since the treachery on board the vessel could not
'
have been effected without his cognizance. Leave it in my
hands,' he said. If Seneca and Burrus are too timid to
strike a blow for their Emperor, at least Anicetus will not
shrink.'
'
Thanks, Anicetus,' said Nero, changing his mood. ' To-day,
for the first time, I feel secure. Now I begin to recognise
that I am indeed Emperor. And a freedman is the author of
'
the boon !
He frowned at his two ministers to reprove their backward-