And into Clodia's gilded circle Claudia tried desperately to drag her daughter.

The Lentuli had a handsome palace on the Carinae, one of the most fashionable quarters of the capital; and here there were many gay gatherings and dinner parties.

Cornelia was well born enough, by reputation wealthy enough, and in feature handsome enough, to have a goodly proportion of the young men of this coterie her devoted admirers and slaves.

Claudia observed her daughter's social triumphs with glee, and did all she could to give Cornelia plenty of this kind of company.

Cornelia would not have been a mortal woman if she had not taken a certain amount of pleasure in noticing and exercising her power.