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nothing that she saw most。 And as she came the officers and men of the
guard made way for her bowing； for； as I learned afterwards； this
girl； next to Cleopatra's self； wielded more power than anyone about
the palace。
〃What is this tumult； Brennus？〃 she said； speaking to the Centurion；
and making as if she saw me not； 〃knowest thou not that the Queen
sleeps at this hour； and if she be awakened it is thou who must answer
for it； and that dearly？〃
〃Nay； Lady；〃 said the Centurion； humbly； 〃but it is thus。 We have
here〃and he jerked his thumb towards me〃a magician of the most
pestilentum； I crave his pardonof the very best sort； for he hath
but just now； only by placing his eyes close to the nose of the worthy
Captain Paulus； dragged him； the said Paulus； through the gates that
Paulus swore the magician should not pass。 By the same token； lady；
the magician says that he has business with youwhich grieves me for
your sake。〃
Charmion turned and looked at me carelessly。 〃Ay； I remember；〃 she
said； 〃and so he hasat least； the Queen would see his tricks； but if
he can do none better than cause a sot〃here she cast a glance of
scorn at the wondering Paulus〃to follow his nose through the gates
he guards； he had better go whence he came。 Follow me； Sir Magician；
and for thee； Brennus； I say； keep thy riotous crew more quiet。 For
thee； most honourable Paulus； get thee sober； and next time I am asked
for at the gates give him who asks a hearing。〃 And； with a queenly nod
of her small head； she turned and led the way； followed at a distance
by myself and the armed slave。
We passed up the marble walk which runs through the garden grounds；
and is set on either side with marble statues； for the most part of
heathen Gods and Goddesses； with which these Lagid？ were not ashamed
to defile their royal dwellings。 At length we came to a beautiful
portico with fluted columns of the Grecian style of art； where we
found more guards； who made way for the Lady Charmion。 Crossing the
portico we reached a marble vestibule where a fountain splashed
softly； and thence by a low doorway a second chamber； known as the
Alabaster Hall； most beautiful to see。 Its roof was upheld by light
columns of black marble； but all its walls were panelled with
alabaster； on which Grecian legends were engraved。 Its floor was of
rich and many…hued mosaic that told the tale of the passion of Psyche
for the Grecian God of Love； and about it were set chairs of ivory and
gold。 Charmion bade the armed slave stay at the doorway of this
chamber； so that we passed in alone； for the place was empty except
for two eunuchs who stood with drawn swords before the curtain at the
further end。
〃I am vexed； my Lord；〃 she said； speaking very low and shyly； 〃that
thou shouldst have met with such affronts at the gate； but the guard
there served a double watch； and I had given my commands to the
officer of the company that should have relieved it。 Those Roman
officers are ever insolent； who； though they seem to serve； know well
that Egypt is their plaything。 But it is not amiss； for these rough
soldiers are superstitious； and will fear thee。 Now bide thou here
while I go into Cleopatra's chamber； where she sleeps。 I have but just
sung her to sleep； and if she be awake I will call thee； for she waits
thy coming。〃 And without more words she glided from my side。
In a little time she returned； and coming to me spoke：
〃Wouldst see the fairest woman in all the world； asleep？〃 she
whispered； 〃if so； follow me。 Nay； fear not； when she awakes she will
but laugh； for she bade me be sure to bring thee instantly； whether
she slept or woke。 See； I have her signet。〃
So we passed up the beautiful chamber till we came to where the
eunuchs stood with drawn swords； and these would have barred my entry。
But Charmion frowned； and drawing the signet from her bosom held it
before their eyes。 Having examined the writing that was on the ring；
they bowed； dropping their sword points and we passed through the
heavy curtains broidered with gold into the resting…place of
Cleopatra。 It was beautiful beyond imaginingbeautiful with many
coloured marbles； with gold and ivory； gems and flowersall art can
furnish and all luxury can dream of were here。 Here were pictures so
real that birds might have pecked the painted fruits； here were
statues of woman's loveliness frozen into stone； here were draperies
fine as softest silk； but woven of a web of gold； here were couches
and carpets such as I never saw。 The air； too； was sweet with perfume；
while through the open window places came the far murmur of the sea。
And at the further end of the chamber； on a couch of gleaming silk and
sheltered by a net of finest gauze； Cleopatra lay asleep。 There she
laythe fairest thing that man ever sawfairer than a dream； and the
web of her dark hair flowed all about her。 One white； rounded arm made
a pillow for her head； and one hung down towards the ground。 Her rich
lips were parted in a smile； showing the ivory lines of teeth； and her
rosy limbs were draped in so thin a robe of the silk of Cos； held
about her by a jewelled girdle； that the white gleam of flesh shone
through it。 I stood astonished； and though my thoughts had little bent
that way； the sight of her beauty struck me like a blow； so that for a
moment I lost myself as it were in the vision of its power； and was
grieved at heart because I must slay so fair a thing。
Turning suddenly from the sight； I found Charmion watching me with her
quick eyeswatching as though she would search my heart。 And； indeed；
something of my thought must have been written on my face in a
language that she could read； for she whispered in my ear：
〃Ay； it is pity； is it not？ Harmachis； being but a man； methinks that
thou wilt need all thy ghostly strength to nerve thee to the deed！〃
I frowned； but before I could frame an answer she touched me lightly
on the arm and pointed to the Queen。 A change had come upon her： her
hands were clenched； and about her face； all rosy with the hue of
sleep； gathered a cloud of fear。 Her breath came quick； she raised her
arms as though to ward away a blow； then with a stifled moan sat up
and opened the windows of her eyes。 They were dark； dark as night； but
when the light found them they grew blue as the sky grows blue before
the blushing of the dawn。
〃C？sarion？〃 she said； 〃where is my son C？sarion？Was it then a dream？
I dreamed that JuliusJulius who is deadcame to me； a bloody toga
wrapped about his face； and having thrown his arms about his child led
him away。 Then I dreamed I dieddied in blood and agony； and one I
might not see mocked me as I died。 /Ah！/ who is that man？〃
〃Peace； Madam！ peace！〃 said Charmion。 〃It is but the magician
Harmachis； whom thou didst bid me bring to thee at this hour。〃
〃Ah！ the magicianthat Harmachis who overthrew the giant？ I remember
now。 He is welcome。 Tell me； Sir Magician； can thy magic mi