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SELF-AVENGED 311
iiess in murder, and effusively grasped the hand of the admiral.
Burrus, as he looked at his scowling countenance, felt a
fresh pang of remorse that he had ever deserted the cause of
Britannicus. Seneca said to his agonised conscience, ' If one
would be the friend of a tyrant, one must not only wink at
crimes, but commit them without a moment's hesitation, however
heinous they may be.'
While Anicetus was hastily suggesting the steps to be taken,
the announcement came that one of Agrippina's attendants
Lucius Agerinus was waiting outside with a verbal message
from the Augusta. Before he was admitted Nero whispered
something to Anicetus. '
Yes, yes,' said the admiral, ' the
plan is excellent.'
Both Seneca and Burrus were amazed and shocked at the
stupid and shameless comedy which was then enacted before
their eyes. Agerinus had hardly begun to deliver his message
when Nero, stepping up to him, dropped a sword at his
feet. It fell with a clang on the white and purple mosaic,
and instantly Nero and Anicetus began to clamour, Murder ' !
treason ! murder ! he has been sent by Agrippina to stab the
Emperor !
'
At this shout the body-guard came running in, and Agerinus
was loaded with chains. Anicetus now had the excuse he
needed. He summoned a band of soldiers and marines, and,
accompanied by Herculeius, one of his naval captains, and
Obaritus, an officer of the marines, he made his way to the
villa at Bauli, giving out that he was ordered to execute
Agrippina, who had just been detected in an attempt to
assassinate her son.
They found the precincts of the villa thronged by a curious
crowd. These they drove away, and surrounded the grounds
with guards. The slaves dispersed in all directions. Agrippina
was still in her dimly lighted room, growing momently
more alarmed because Agerinus did not return and she received
no message from Nero. Nearer and nearer came the
tread of feet till
they heard the soldiers enter the atrium.
There followed a brief altercation as the murderers scattered
the few faithful attendants who would still have guarded the
door of the chamber. The slave-girl rose to fly.
'
Dost thou also desert me ? '
said the Empress bitterly.
But the girl's figure had scarcely disappeared when the