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384 DARKNESS AND DAWN
hand. Nero, as he took his seat beside her,
felt like a
clumsy and awkward boy.
'
Why do you pretend to love '
me, Nero ? she asked.
'
'
'
Love you
! he said. It is not love, it is passion, it is
'
adoration !
'Words are all very well, Nero,' she said, In a voice which
'
seemed to tremble with tears ;
but see how you treat me !
When I came to the Palace you were not Emperor, but the
slave of Agrippina. I helped you to free yourself from that
bondage. You have taken me from Otho, my dear and noble
'
husband
Nero frowned angrily, but Poppaea took no notice.
'
You have,' she continued, ' banished him to Lusitania, and
have brought me to this dull Court, under pretence that you
would make me Empress. Yet I am no nearer becoming your
wife. Go to your pale, sad Octavia doubtless you think her
:
common features fairer than mine. Her dreary talk and
drearier silence cannot fail to be more fascinating.'
'
I loathe her,' said Nero.
'
And she loathes you, whereas I worship the ground you
'
tread upon. No, no ! she said, as he attempted to seize her
'
hand
;
I will not live here to be your mere plaything. I will
rejoin Otho in Lusitania. He loves me, and knows how to
treat me properly.'
Nero rose in a passion. Fearful lest she should goad him
too far, Poppsea called him to her side and changed her tone.
'Your home is
empty, Nero,' she said. 'No child will
succeed you. I have a little son. Octavia must be dismissed,
if you would have an heir to be Emperor of Rome.'
' '
'
How can I dismiss her ? said Nero gloomily. Even my
freed men espouse her cause. Doryphorus is for her, and
Pallas.'
'
Doryphorus Pallas '
she ! ! repeated, with a laugh of ringing
'
scorn. An effeminate slave-minion a
; miserly dotard !
Tush,
Caesar ! be a man. Sweep aside these flies. Poison them
both ;
no one will miss Doryphorus, and Pallas has riches
which will prove very convenient to you.'
'
'That shall be done,' said Nero. I am sick of Doryphorus,
and Pallas lias lived long enough. But to repudiate Octavia
is different. She is strong in the name of her father, and
stronger still in the favour of the people and the Praetorians.'