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464 DARKNESS AND DAWN
of my boy Eufius. I love him more than anything on earth,
and Nero hates to see him, and will not let him visit me.
The poor boy might just as well have no mother.'
Pomponia paused before she spoke, and had to gulp down
a choking sob. '
I can sympathise with you, Empress. My
son Aulus was a little older than your charming Eufius. He
was manly he was beautiful
; ;
he gave promise of all his
father's
virtues.'
'
I know, I know,' said Popptea, turning away her face, on
'
which rose, in spite of herself, a burning blush. He offended
Nero in some way, and he is dead.'
'
He offended him not,' said '
Pomponia. How could an
innocent lad like my Aulus have been guilty of treason ? Let
us speak no more of him. There are those for whom death is
more merciful than life, and I did not come here to bewail my
own bereavements.'
'
I pleaded for your boy, Pomponia indeed, I did. I
deigned to prostrate myself before Nero that he would not
injure him, that he would not have him slain. Would you
believe that I I, the Empress, have fears lest something
evil should be done to my young Rufius '
?
'
May Heaven protect his '
youth said '
Pomponia. If it
!
will be any comfort to you I will see him, and ask him to our
palace. My husband is kind to all the young, and will love
him for the sake of his own lost boy. And I will take your
messages to him.'
'
Thanks, Pomponia, thanks,' said the '
Empress. Nowhere
could he be better than in your virtuous home. But why
have you sought me you to whom the Palace is justly
'
hateful ?
'
I '
come,' answered Pomponia, to plead for your pity.
There is not a prison in Rome which is not full of innocent
men and women, called Christians. They are charged willi
having set fire to Rome, and with many other atrocities.
Empress, they are innocent Will !
you not use your influence
for them ? If you have ever done evil forgive me, Poppsea,
but I know not the language of falsehood, or of flattery will
you not now try to do a great deed of '
good ?
'
Your kindness deceives you,' answered the Empress.
'
From all that I have heard they thoroughly deserve their fate.'
'Your mind has been poisoned against them by their