Nero, unable to be moderate in anything, loved the infant beyond measure; to Poppaea the child was dear also, even for this, that it strengthened her position and made her influence irresistible.
The fate of the whole empire might depend on the health and life of the infant Augusta; but Vinicius was so occupied with himself, his own case and his love, that without paying attention to the news of the centurion he answered, "I only wish to see Acte." And he passed in.
But Acte was occupied also near the child, and he had to wait a long time to see her.

She came only about midday, with a face pale and wearied, which grew paler still at sight of Vinicius.
"Acte!" cried Vinicius, seizing her hand and drawing her to the middle of the atrium, "where is Lygia ?" "I wanted to ask thee touching that," answered she, looking him in the eyes with reproach.
But though he had promised himself to inquire of her calmly, he pressed his head with his hands again, and said, with a face distorted by pain and anger,--"She is gone.

She was taken from me on the way!" After a while, however, he recovered, and thrusting his face up to Acte's, said through his set teeth,--"Acte! If life be dear to thee, if thou wish not to cause misfortunes which thou are unable even to imagine, answer me truly.

Did Caesar take her ?" "Caesar did not leave the palace yesterday." "By the shade of thy mother, by all the gods, is she not in the palace ?" "By the shade of my mother, Marcus, she is not in the palace, and Caesar did not intercept her.

The infant Augusta is ill since yesterday, and Nero has not left her cradle." Vinicius drew breath.