Drusus's gold pieces had made her the most successful of schemers.
II Cornelia feigned her headache, and succeeded in making herself so thoroughly petulant and exacting to all her maids, that when she ordered them out of the room, and told them on no account to disturb her in any respect for the rest of the day, they "rejoiced with trembling," and had no anxiety to thrust their attentions upon so unreasonable a mistress.

And a little while later a visit of a strolling juggler--whose call had perhaps been prompted by Cassandra--made their respite from duty doubly welcome.
Cornelia was left to herself, and spent the next hour in a division of labour before her silver wall-mirror, dressing--something which was sufficiently troublesome for her, accustomed to the services of a bevy of maids--and at the window, gazing toward Puteoli for the fishing-boat that seemed never in sight.

At last the toilet was completed to her satisfaction.

Cornelia surveyed herself in her best silken purple flounced stola, thrust the last pin into her hair, and confined it all in a net of golden thread.

Roman maidens were not as a rule taught to be modest about their charms, and Cornelia, with perfect frankness, said aloud to herself, "You are so beautiful that Drusus can't help loving you;" and with this candid confession, she was again on the terrace, straining her eyes toward Puteoli.