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He spoke so openly that Petronius, though his friend, began to be cautious. Scevinus complained that the world was living madly and unjustly, that all must end in some catastrophe more dreadful still than the burning of Rome.
But at length during the examination of Scevinus, in his solicitude to appear zealous in Nero's cause he overacted his part, so far as to press Scevinus too earnestly with his inquiries, until at length Scevinus turned indignantly toward him saying "Why do you ask these questions?
"Is thy meaning as follows: 'I do not praise Chærea, but he was a perfect man, and would that the gods had given us as many such as possible'?" inquired Petronius. But Scevinus changed the conversation, and began all at once to praise Piso, exalting his family, his nobility of mind, his attachment to his wife, and, finally, his intellect, his calmness, and his wonderful gift of winning people.
As soon as Nero had obtained all the information which he and his officers could draw from Scevinus and Natalis, and had sent to all parts of the city to arrest those whom the forced disclosures of these witnesses accused, he thought of Epicharis, who, it will be recollected, had been sent to prison, and who was still in confinement there.
He denies the allegations of his accuser. Nero perplexed. The truth at last discovered. Scevinus and Natalis make a full confession.
But that day the tesseræ were verified with greater care than usual; and what was more, the centurion Scevinus, a strict soldier, devoted soul and body to Cæsar, recognized Vinicius. But evidently in his iron-clad breast there glimmered yet some spark of pity for misfortunes. Instead of striking his spear in token of alarm, he led Vinicius aside and said, "Return to thy house, lord.
I recognize thee; but not wishing thy ruin, I am silent. I cannot admit thee; go thy way, and may the gods send thee solace." "Thou canst not admit me," said Vinicius, "but let me stand here and look at those who are led forth." "My order does not forbid that," said Scevinus. Vinicius stood before the gate and waited.
He particularly desired that the privilege of plunging the first dagger into Nero's heart should be granted to him. He had a knife, he said, which he had found in a certain temple a long time before, and which he had preserved and carried about his person constantly ever since, for some such deed. So it was arranged that Scevinus should strike the fatal blow.
When he returned home, he found the house surrounded by pretorians, who led him away, and took him under direction of Scevinus to the Palatine. Cæsar had gone to rest, but Tigellinus was waiting. When he saw the unfortunate Greek, he greeted him with a calm but ominous face.
Proculus reveals the plot to Nero. Nero perplexed. Epicharis imprisoned. A new plan. Piso's objections. Reasons. Final arrangements agreed upon. Nero to be slain in the theatre. The several parts assigned. Scevinus. Excitement of Scevinus. His knife. He gives his knife to Milichus to be ground. Milichus confers with his wife. Their suspicions. Revelations made by Milichus. Scevinus's defense.
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