To the young man even a friendly voice would have seemed repulsive at such a moment, but he judged that Acte wished purposely to interrupt his conversation with Lygia.

So, raising his head and looking over the shoulder of Lygia at the young freedwoman, he said with malice: "The hour has passed, Acte, when thou didst recline near Caesar's side at banquets, and they say that blindness is threatening thee; how then canst thou see him ?" But she answered as if in sadness: "Still I see him.

He, too, has short sight, and is looking at thee through an emerald." Everything that Nero did roused attention, even in those nearest him; hence Vinicius was alarmed.

He regained self-control, and began imperceptibly to look toward Caesar.

Lygia, who, embarrassed at the beginning of the banquet, had seen Nero as in a mist, and afterward, occupied by the presence and conversation of Vinicius, had not looked at him at all, turned to him eyes at once curious and terrified.
Acte spoke truly.