bitter feeling, a warning
thought, should deter them from adorning their parents' grave with
flowers, weeping at its foot, invoking and offering sacrifices to their
spirits.

Then she glanced at the statue of Berenike, who had also once worn on her
brow the double crown of Egypt. She, too, had early died a violent death;
she, too, had known how to love. The vow to sacrifice her beautiful hair
to Aphrodite if her husband returned uninjured from the Syrian war had
rendered her name illustrious. "Berenike's Hair" was still to be seen as
a constellation in the night heavens.

Though this woman had sinned often and heavily, one act of loyal love had
made her an honoured, worshipped princess. She--Cleopatra would do
something still greater. The sacrifice which she intended to impose upon
herself would weigh far more heavily in the balance than a handful of
beautiful tresses, and would comprise sovereignty and life.

With head erect and a sense of proud self-reliance she gazed at the noble
marble countenance of the Cyrenian queen. Ere entering the sanctuary she
had imagined that she knew how the criminals whom she had sentenced to
death must feel. Now that she herself had done with life, she felt as if
she were relieved from a heavy burden, and yet her heart ached,
and--especially when she thought of her children--she was overwhelmed
with the emotion which is the most painful of all forms of
compassion--pity for herself.

CHAPTER XVIII.

When Cleopatra left the temple, Iras marvelled at the change in her
appearance. The severe tension which had given her beautiful face a shade
of harshness had yielded to an expression of gentle sadness that enhanced
its charm, yet her features quickly brightened as her attendant pointed
to the procession which was just entering the forecourt of the palace.

In Alexandria and throughout Egypt birthdays were celebrated as far as
possible. Therefore, to do honour to the twins, the children of the city
had been sent to offer their congratulations, and at the same time to
assure their royal mother of the love and devotion of the citizens.

The return to the palace occupied only a few minutes, and as Cleopatra,
hastily donning festal garments, gazed down at the bands of children, it
seemed as if Fate by this fair spectacle had given her a sign of approval
of her design.

She was soon standing hand in hand with the twins upon the balcony before
which the procession had halted. Hundred