taken out of that life that ought to be so fair for him, no matter how darksome it was for her; to have him never realize her ambition that he become a statesman, warrior, philosopher, in short her ideal hero—­this was unbearable!  This phase of the question was so overpowering that she forgot to feel rage against Ahenobarbus and his wily ally.  Cornelia threw herself down upon the floor, and cried to Agias to slay her quickly.  She did not care to live; she could endure no more.

Agias here manifested exquisite tact.  Instead of attempting any ordinary means of expostulation, he pleaded with her not to give way to despair; that Drusus was not yet at the mercy of his enemies; that she, if she would, could do an infinite deal to assist him.

“I save Quintus?” questioned Cornelia, with white, quivering lips.

“You can do much, my lady,” replied Agias, kindly taking her by the hand, and with gentle pressure forcing her to sit on the divan.  “You can do what neither I, nor Pisander, nor any one else can accomplish.  You can make Lucius Ahenobarbus betray his own plot.  You, and you only, can penetrate the final plans of the conspirators.  Therefore be strong, and do not despair.”

“I?  What can I do?” cried Cornelia, staring at him with sad, tearless eyes.

“Lady Cornelia,” said Agias, delicately, “Drusus would never receive back his life if it were to be purchased by any sacrifice of honour on your part.  But this is not needed.  Lucius Ahenobarbus—­forgive my plain speech—­worships the ground whereon you tread.  A smile from you raises him to Olympus; a compliment from you makes him feel himself a god; a soft word from you creates him the peer of Zeus.  Lady, I know you hate that man; but for Master Drusus’s sake make Ahenobarbus believe that you are not indifferent to his advances.  Slander Drusus before him.  Complain of the provisions of your father’s will that, despite your uncle’s intention, will make it difficult to avoid a hateful marriage.  If in the past you have been cold to Ahenobarbus, grow gracious; but not too rapidly.  Finally, at the proper time, do not hesitate to urge him to commit the act we know he is meditating.  Then he will make you a full partner of his plot, and Pratinas and he can be permanently thwarted.”

“You say that Drusus can be saved by this?” asked Cornelia, steadying herself as she rose from the divan;

“I will warn him at once,” replied Agias.  “Any premature attempt on his life will certainly fail.  But it is not Ahenobarbus that I fear; it is Pratinas.  Pratinas, if baffled once, will only be spurred on to use all his cunning in a second trial.  We must enmesh the conspirators so completely that when their stab is parried, not merely will their power to repeat it be gone, but they themselves will be in danger of retribution.  And for this, some one must be confederate to their final plan.”