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THE MOCKERY OF DEATH 29
CHAPTEE V
THE MOCKERY OF DEATH
1
Esse aliquos Manes et subterranea regna
Nee pueri credimt, nisi qui nondum sere lavautur,
Sed tu vera puta.' Juv. Sat. ii. 149-153.
AGRIPPINA. had long contrived to secure the absolute devotion
of her slaves, clients, and freedinen. In that vast household
of at least sixteen hundred persons, all courteously treated
and liberally paid, there were many who were ready to go any
lengths in support of their patroness. Among them was the
freed man Mnester. who knew but little of her crimes, but was
enthusiastic in her interests. She made constant use of him
on that eventful day.
her slaves were some of the Chaldaeai and casters of
Among
horoscopes, so common in those times,
in whom she placed a
superstitious confidence. Her first care was to consult them,
and she determined to take no overt step until they should
announce that the auspicious hour had come. She then
hastened to the chamber where Xenophon still kept his
watch beside the man whom he had murdered. He kept that
watch with perfect indifference. His was a soul entirely
cynical and atheistic ; greedy of gain only, casehardened by
crime. The bargain between him and the Empress was
perfectly understood between them. Enormous wealth would
be the price of his silence and success ;
death would punish
his failure.
There was nothing to be seen but the dead form covered
from head to foot by a purple coverlet.
'
She pointed to it. He must still be supposed to be alive,'
'
she said. The Chaldasans say that the omens are still inauspicious.
How are we to keep the secret for some hours
'
longer ?