With the eye of a critic she took in at once every part of Lygia's form, estimated every detail of her face, and was frightened.
"That is simply a nymph," thought she, "and 'twas Venus who gave birth to her." On a sudden this came to her mind which had never come before at sight of any beauty,--that she herself had grown notably older! Wounded vanity quivered in Poppaea, alarm seized her, and various fears shot through her head.

"Perhaps Nero has not seen the girl, or, seeing her through the emerald, has not appreciated her.

But what would happen should he meet such a marvel in the daytime, in sunlight?
Moreover she is not a slave, she is the daughter of a king,--a king of barbarians, it is true, but a king.

Immortal gods! she is as beautiful as I am, but younger!" The wrinkle between her brows increased, and her eyes began to shine under their golden lashes with a cold gleam.
"Hast thou spoken with Caesar ?" "No, Augusta." "Why dost thou choose to be here rather than in the house of Aulus ?" "I do not choose, lady.

Petronius persuaded Caesar to take me from Pomponia.