on a silken couch at the far end of the perfumed
chamber, clad in wonderful white attire, rested Cleopatra. In her hand
was a jewelled fan of ostrich plumes, with which she gently fanned
herself, and by her side was her harp of ivory, and a little table
whereon were figs and goblets and a flask of ruby-coloured wine. I drew
near slowly through the soft dim light to where the Wonder of the World
lay in all her glowing beauty. And, indeed, I have never seen her look
so fair as she did upon that fatal night. Couched in her amber cushions,
she seemed to shine as a star on the twilight's glow. Perfume came from
her hair and robes, music fell from her lips, and in her heavenly eyes
all lights changed and gathered as in the ominous opal's disc.

And this was the woman whom, presently, I must slay!

Slowly I drew near, bowing as I came; but she took no heed. She lay
there, and the jewelled fan floated to and fro like the bright wing of
some hovering bird.

At length I stood before her, and she glanced up, the ostrich-plumes
pressed against her breast as though to hide its beauty.

"What! friend; art thou come?" she said. "It is well; for I grew lonely
here. Nay; 'tis a weary world! We know so many faces, and there are so
few whom we love to see again. Well, stand not there so mute, but be
seated." And she pointed with her fan to a carven chair that was placed
near her feet.

Once more I bowed and took the seat.

"I have obeyed the Queen's desire," I said, "and with much care and
skill worked out the lessons of the stars; and here is the record of my
labour. If the Queen permits, I will expound it to her." And I rose, in
order that I might pass round the couch and, as she read, stab her in
the back.

"Nay, Harmachis," she said quietly, and with a slow and lovely smile.
"Bide thou where thou art, and give me the writing. By Serapis! thy face
is too comely for me to wish to lose the sight of it!"

Checked in this design, I could do nothing but hand her the papyrus,
thinking to myself that while she read I would arise suddenly and plunge
the dagger to her heart. She took it, and as she did so touched my hand.
Then she made pretence to read. But she read no word, for I saw that her
eyes were fixed upon me over the edge of the scroll.

"Why placest thou thy hand within thy robe?" she asked presently; for,
indeed, I clutched the dagger's hilt. "Is thy heart stirred?"

"Yea, O Queen," I said; "it beats high."

She gave no