Acte and Lygia rose, thinking that Poppaea would pass the bench without turning attention to either; but she halted before them and said,--"Acte, the bells sent by thee for the doll were badly fastened; the child tore off one and put it to her mouth; luckily Lilith saw it in season." "Pardon, divinity," answered Acte, crossing her arms on her breast and bending her head.
But Poppaea began to gaze at Lygia.
"What slave is this ?" asked she, after a pause.
"She is not a slave, divine Augusta, but a foster child of Pomponia Graecina, and a daughter of the Lygian king given by him as hostage to Rome." "And has she come to visit thee ?" "No, Augusta.

She is dwelling in the palace since the day before yesterday." "Was she at the feast last night ?" "She was, Augusta." "At whose command ?" "At Caesar's command." Poppaea looked still more attentively at Lygia, who stood with bowed head, now raising her bright eyes to her with curiosity, now covering them with their lids.

Suddenly a frown appeared between the brows of the Augusta.

Jealous of her own beauty and power, she lived in continual alarm lest at some time a fortunate rival might ruin her, as she had ruined Octavia.

Hence every beautiful face in the palace roused her suspicion.