and his wife have both been dead more than half a year. Death has
settled this question, and I cannot grant to Publius the first service he
has asked of me--asked with great urgency too. I am sorry for this, both
for his sake and for that of poor Philotas, who was held in high esteem
by our mother."

"May the ravens devour them!" answered Cleopatra, pressing her forehead
against the ivory frame which surrounded the stuffed back of her seat.
"Once more I beg of you excuse me from all further speech." This time
the two kings obeyed her wishes. When Euergetes offered her his hand she
said with downcast eyes, and poking her fan-stick into the wool of the
carpet:

"I will visit you early to-morrow."

"After the first sacrifice," added Euergetes. "If I know you well,
something that you will then hear will please you greatly; very greatly
indeed, I should think. Bring the children with you; that I ask of you
as a birthday request."




CHAPTER XX.

The royal chariot in which Klea was standing, wrapped in the cloak and
wearing the hat of the captain of the civic guard, went swiftly and
without stopping through the streets of Memphis. As long as she saw
houses with lighted windows on each side of the way, and met riotous
soldiers and quiet citizens going home from the taverns, or from working