roof, and Iras, who had whispered to the "introducer" at the door, no
longer seemed like a sharp thorn or a spiteful demon, but a woman by no
means destitute of charm, who repulsed her, but on whom she had inflicted
the keenest pang a woman's heart can suffer. Then she again thought of
her wounded lover at home, and remembered that, whatever might happen,
his heart did not belong to Iras, but to her alone. Lastly, she recalled
Archibius's description of Cleopatra's childhood, and this remembrance
was followed by the conviction that the omnipotent sovereign would be
neither cruel nor unjust, and that it would depend upon herself to win
her favour. Charmian, too, was the Queen's confidante; and if the manner
of Iras and Alexas had alarmed her, Charmian's might well inspire
confidence.

All these thoughts darted through her brain with the speed of lightning.
Only a brief time for consideration remained; for, even as she bowed her
head on the bosom of her friend, the "introducer" entered the room,
crying, "Her illustrious Majesty will expect those whom she summoned in a
few minutes!"

Soon after a chamberlain appeared, waving a fan of ostrich feathers and,
preceded by the court official, they passed through several brilliantly
lighted, richly furnished rooms.

Barine again breathed freely and moved with head erect; and when the
wide, lofty folding doors of ebony, against whose deep black surface the
inlaid figures of Tritons, mermaids, shells, fish, and sea monsters were
sharply relieved, she beheld a glittering, magnificent scene, for the
hall which Cleopatra had chosen for her reception was completely covered
with various marine forms, from the shells to coral and starfish.