ed nothing for Barine or Dion as individuals,
but he doubtless would have been ready to make a still greater sacrifice
to win the influential Archibius, and especially Arius, who would have
great power through Octavianus, the rising sun.

The men had just begun to discuss plans for saving Barine, when the
Nubian appeared and told Archibius what had been arranged beside Dion's
sick-bed by the freedman and Gorgias. The escape of the fugitives
depended solely upon their reaching the boat unseen, and the surest
way to accomplish this was to use the subterranean passage which the
architect had again opened.

Archibius, to whom the representative of the chief priest had offered
his aid, now took the others into his confidence, and Arius proposed
that Barine should marry Dion in the Temple of Isis, and the couple
should afterwards be guided through the secret passage to the boat. This
proposal was approved, and Serapion promised to reserve the sanctuary
for the wedding of the fugitives for a short time after the departure
of the procession, which was to take place at sunset. In return for
this service another might perhaps soon be requested from the friend of
Octavianus, who greeted his promise with grateful warmth.

"The priesthood," said Serapion, "takes sides with all who are unjustly
persecuted, and in this case bestows aid the more willingly on account
of its great anxiety to guard the Queen from an act which would be
difficult to approve." As for the fugitives, so far as he could see,
only two possibilities were open to them: Cleopatra would cleave to Mark
Antony and go--would that the immortals might avert it!--to ruin, or
she would sacrifice him and save her throne and life. In both cases the
endangered lovers could soon return uninjured--the Queen had a merciful
heart, and never retained anger long if no guilt existed.

The details of the plan were then settled by Archibius, Anukis, and
Berenike, who was with the family of Arius, and the decision was
communicated to the architect. Archibius had maintained the same silence
concerning the destination of the fugitives towards the men composing
the council and Barine's mother as to his sister. With regard to the
mission of Timagenes and the political questions which occupied his
mind, he gave Charmian only the degree of information necessary to
explain the plan she so lovingly promoted; but she had no desire to
know more. On the way home her mind was wholly absorbed by