"I burnt Rome at thy command!" said he.
And the two glared at each other like a pair of devils. Such silence followed that the buzzing of flies was heard as they flew through the atrium.
"Tigellinus," said Nero, "dost thou love me?"
"Thou knowest, lord."
"Sacrifice thyself for me."
"O divine Caesar," answered Tigellinus, "why present the sweet cup which I may not raise to my lips? The people are muttering and rising; dost thou wish the pretorians also to rise?"