he hoped to find solace in Barine's cheerful and equable nature;
here the helpful hands of her dark-skinned maid and confidante awaited
her.

The sun was low in the western horizon when she entered the anteroom.
The members of the body-guard who were on duty told her that nothing
unusual had occurred, and with a sigh of relief she passed into the
sitting-room.

But the Ethiopian, who usually came to meet her with words of welcome,
took her veil and wraps, and removed her shoes, was absent. Today no
one greeted her. Not until she entered the second room, which she had
assigned to her guest, did she find Barine, who was weeping bitterly.

During Charmian's absence the latter had received a letter from Alexas,
in which he informed her that he was ordered by the Queen to subject her
to an examination the next morning. Her cause looked dark but, if she
did not render his duty harder by the harshness which had formerly
caused him much pain, he would do his utmost to protect her from
imprisonment, forced labour in the mines, or even worse misfortunes.
The imprudent game which she had played with King Caesarion had
unfortunately roused the people against her. The depth of their
indignation was shown by the fury with which they had assailed the
house of her grandfather, Didymus. Nothing could save Dion, who had
audaciously attacked the illustrious son of their beloved Queen, from
the rage of the populace. He, Alexas, knew that in this Dion she would
lose a friend and protector, but he would be disposed to take his place
if her conduct did not render it impossible for him to unite mercy with
justice.

This shameful letter, which promised Barine clemency in return for her
favour without unmasking him in his character of judge, explained to
Charmian the agitation in which she found her friend's daughter.

It was doubtless a little relief to Barine to express her loathing and
abhorrence of Alexas as eagerly as her gentle nature would permit, but
fear, grief, and indignation continued to struggle for the mastery in
her oppressed soul.

It would have been expected that the keen-witted woman would have
eagerly inquired what Charmian had accomplished with the Queen and
Archibius, and what new events had happened to affect Cleopatra, the
state, and the city; but she questioned her with far deeper interest
concerning the welfare of her lover, desiring information in regard
to many things of which her friend could give no tidings. I