to allow the world to say, that I, the subject, had a wiser and
fairer wife than you, the ruler; especially a wife who bad already
refused that ruler's complimentary offer.'

'By Jove! and she has refused me in good earnest! I'll make her
repent it! I was a fool to ask her at all! What's the use of
having guards, if one can't compel what one wants? If fair means
can't do it, foul shall! I'll send for her this moment!'

'Most illustrious majesty--it will not succeed. You do not know
that woman's determination. Scourges and red-hot pincers will not
shake her, alive; and dead, she will be of no use whatsoever to you,
while she will be of great use to Cyril.'

'How?'

'He will be most happy to make the whole story a handle against you,
give out that she died a virgin-martyr, in defence of the most holy
catholic and apostolic faith, get miracles worked at her tomb, and
pull your palace about your ears on the strength thereof.'

'Cyril will hear of it anyhow: that's another dilemma into which you
have brought me, you intriguing rascal! Why, this girl will be
boasting all over Alexandria that I have offered her marriage, and
that she has done herself the honour to refuse me!'

'She will be much too wise to do anything of the kind; she has sense
enough to know that if she did so, you would inform a Christian
populace what conditions she offered you, and, with all her contempt
for the burden of the flesh, she has no mind to be lightened of that