on the contrary, seem to delight in pouring wormwood on
her last mouthful."

"Certainly," she answered, her eyes sparkling brightly. "Malice is the
purest of pleasures; at least to me, when exercised on this woman."

The Syrian, with a strange smile, held out his hand, saying: "Keep your
good-will towards me, Iras."

"Because," she retorted with a sneer, "evil may follow my enmity. I think
so, too. I am not especially sensitive concerning myself, but whoever
dares"--here she raised her voice--"to harm one whom I--Just listen to
the cheers! How she carries all hearts with her! Though Fate had made her
a beggar, she would still be peerless among women. She is like the sun.
The clouds which intrude upon her pathway of radiance are consumed and
disappear."

While uttering the last sentence she had turned towards Barine, whose ear
the sharp voice again pierced like a thorn, as she commanded her to
prepare for the examination.

Almost at the same moment the door, caught by the wind, closed with a
loud bang. The "introducer"--[Marshal of the court.]--had opened it, and,
after a hasty glance, exclaimed:

"The audience will not be given in this meeting place for all the winds
of heaven! Her Majesty desires to receive her late visitor in the Hall of
Shells."

With these words he bowed courteously to Barine, and ushered her and her
two companions through several corridors and apartments into a
well-heated anteroom.

Here even the windows were thoroughly protected from the storm. Several
body-guards and pages belonging to the corps of the "royal boys" stood
waiting to receive them.

"This is comfortable." said Alexas, turning to Iras. "Was the winter we
have just experienced intended to fill us with twofold gratitude for the
delights of the mild spring in this blessed room?"

"Perhaps so," she answered sullenly, and then added in a low tone: "Here
at Lochias the seasons do not follow their usual course. They change
according to the pleasure of the supreme will. Instead of four, the
Egyptians, as you know, have but three; in the palaces on the Nile they
are countless. What is the meaning of this sudden entry of summer? Winter
would have pleased me better."

The Queen--Iras knew not why--had changed her arrangements for Barine's
reception. This vexed her, and her features assumed a gloomy, threatening
expression as the young beauty, casting aside her cloak and kerchief,
stood awaiting Cleopatra in a white robe of fine m