ONCE the highest heads in Rome inclined before Acte, the former favorite of Nero.

But even at that period she showed no desire to interfere in public questions, and if on any occasion she used her influence over the young ruler, it was only to implore mercy for some one.

Quiet and unassuming, she won the gratitude of many, and made no one her enemy.
Even Octavia was unable to hate her.

To those who envied her she seemed exceedingly harmless.

It was known that she continued to love Nero with a sad and pained love, which lived not in hope, but only in memories of the time in which that Nero was not only younger and loving, but better.
It was known that she could not tear her thoughts and soul from those memories, but expected nothing; since there was no real fear that Nero would return to her, she was looked upon as a person wholly inoffensive, and hence was left in peace.