. Irene and I alone were left in that beautiful place with the wine-stained table on

ind of amazement in her eyes, and I stood befo

ature, that ape; the only creature in the palace that would not rub its head in the dust before the Augusta. Ah! now I remember, it always hated Constantine, for when he was a child he used to tease it with a stick, getting beyond the length of its chain and striking it. B

at the Augustus did not know

They say that by Nature's rule mother and child must love each other, but it is a lie. I tell you it's a lie. From the time he was tiny I hated that boy, though not half as much as he has hated me. You are thinking to yours

e words,

ose drugged fruits and set them in the drawer of yonder table; lock

returned to

ed at me

, and for my sins God has made me his mother, unless, indeed, he was changed at birth, as I've been told, though I could never prove it. Give me your hand and help me to rise. So, I thank you. Now follow me. We'll sit a whil

room half-lighted only, that I had never seen before. It was a scented and a beautiful place, in one corner of which a white statue gleamed, that o

th her own hands Irene drew the curtains over them. Near th

for here there is no ceremony;

me and sat herself down on the couch also, leaning against the en

hought, for the colour came and went upon her face, which in that light seemed

ervice braver, Empress; cowar

lace of Constantine. Why did you do so? It is true that, as things have happened, he'll remember it in your favour, for I'll say this of him, he never forgets on

protect both the Augustus and the Augusta, even w

f you will do as much as this for one who is nothing to you, and who has never

than my life for such a

dded that this was for a man, but that I do not believe. Doubtless it was for the sake of Iduna the Fair, of whom you have spoken to me, whom it seems you cannot fo

which he had taken in sacrifice, that I dared Odin and hewed his holy statue to pieces with this swo

given battle to the great god of the North and thus brought h

is not, I do not fea

still runs in me, and, Christian though I am, I would not dare one of the great g

ince I hewed off Odin's he

a man to my

s, indeed, and stared out at the sea, wishing that I were in it, or anywhere aw

that you would ask, and if so, what? Anything that I can give is yours, unless,"

named Barnabas of Egypt, who was set upon by other bishops at the Council while you were away a

r that he should be kept in confinement till he died, here or elsewhere. Still," she went on, "though I would sooner give you a p

ank her, but she

ics with whom you have made friends, but I, who hear

I heard a sound, a gentle sound of rustling silk, and in another instant I felt Irene's arms clasped about me and Irene's head laid upon my knee. Yes, she was kneeling before me, sobbing,

her face was that

stand?" she

full well would soon be followed

tus and the poisoned figs, and would pray me to keep silence. Have no fear, my lips

ence?" Then she drew herself up, a wonderful look upon her face that had grown suddenl

Then in my soul I cried for help, and strength came to me. Rising, I l

though a moment ago I did not, who never thought it possible that

red, "and that kiss of yours upon my lips

here is another wall between

sworn to the memory of that Iduna, who is more fai

but a dream. The wall is that of your own faith. On

f it? This dr

ed book, Empress, and you will

her hair, and a kind

eached to by y

who need it greatly, not to yo

it? You are the worst of hypocrites, who w

ay that I hated you? Moreover, if I ha

Constantine is right, and that you must be what is called a saint; and, if so, saints are

saluted with it, a

apon," she said.

grave as the ne

n wore. Well, go to seek her in the la

about to strike with the blunt edge

ervously, and, turning the s

story I must tell of you after I have struck? Do you understand that not only are you about to die, but that infamy will be poured up

ng to me, who journey to the Land of Truth, where there are some whom I would meet again. Be advised by me. Strike here, where

Kill your

ke my full forgiveness for the deed, and with it my thanks for all the goodness you have shown to me, but most for your woman's favour. In after years, perhaps, when death draws near to you also, if ever you remember Olaf, your faithful servant

s prayer, I bared my neck of the silk robe.

s. Are you no man? Or have you

leave children behind me, since in our law marriage is allowed. Forget not your prom

, as one who speaks to herself; then thou

ore-ashamed, utterly ashamed, and though I learn to hate you, a

couch, and, hiding her face

t that I went very n

suddenly she looked up and said: "Give me that jewel," and she pointed to

n. "Of that wine I drink no more. I d

ember that from Irene you have naught to fear, as I know

sently

prison, setting all things in order for whoever shoul

nannounced?" I asked

hand and showing on it a ring I knew. It was the

, Martina? To order m

retic bishop who is named Barnabas. Here is the order for his release, signed by the Augusta's hand and sealed with her seal, under which he is at liberty to bide in Constantinople w

read it, and laid it

ress shall be done. Is t

office, and another governor-Stauracius and Aetius

nd

uard, only with the rank of a full general of the army

groan I could not ch

While waiting for my mistress to summon me I fell asleep in the vestibule of the ante-room, and when I awoke and we

ina, and speak no more to me, I pra

ll, Olaf, for it is spot

spilt some w

of how you would have eaten the poisoned fig, w

d your mistress t

h, Olaf, was as tangled as though a man had handled it," and she looked at me till I coloured

iage!" I

speak the word with c

hom, Ma

ever can rule Irene, if such a one lives, will certainly rule us also. All she said was that she wished she could find s

ina? This Emperor Charlem

all of them; and that what she desired was one of good birth, no more, brave, ho

she say to t

ates, who look half woman and half priest; one who had known war, and yet was no ruffler; a person of open mind, who h

em in plenty," I said

out that this was her trouble. Among the great of the earth she knew no

tless you showed her tha

in this matter of a husband, which is one important to a woman. I said also, as for such fears, that a se

she answer to

s that which I now fulfil, for I have heard of no other-said, notwithstanding all the trouble as to the Augustus and his threats, that she was sure she would sleep bett

life difficult, and full of pitf

hin upon her little hand, staring me full in the

ep your eyes fixed thereon and follow it, and never thin

perhaps,"

d, especially if a man marries well. And now good-bye; we shall meet again at the palace, whither you will repair to-morrow morning. Not before, since I am engaged in directing the furnishment of your new quarters in the right