h majestic dignity:

"Misery such as mine quenches all ardour. And love? Woman's heart
is ever open to it, save where it has lost the desire for power and
pleasure. You are young and happy, therefore your soul still yearns
for love--I know that--though not for mine. To me, on the contrary, one
suitor only is welcome, he with the lowered torch, whom you keep aloof
from me. With him alone is to be found the boon for which this soul has
longed from childhood--painless peace! You smile. My past gives you the
right to do so. I will not lessen it. Each individual lives his or her
own life. Few understand the changes of their own existence, far less
those of a stranger's. The world has witnessed how Peace fled from my
path, or I from hers, and yet I see the possibility of finding the
way. I am safe from the only things which would debar me from those
joys--humiliation and disgrace." Here she hesitated; then, as if in
explanation, continued in the sweetest tones at her command: "Your
generosity, I think, will guard from these two foes the woman whom just
now--I did not fail to see it--you considered worthy of a more than
gracious glance. I shall treasure it among memories which will never
fade. But now, illustrious Imperator! tell me, what is your decision
concerning me and the children? What may we hope from your favour?"

"That Octavianus will be more and more warmly animated by the desire to
accord you and yours a worthy destiny, the more firmly you expect that
he will attest his generosity."

"And if I fulfil this desire and expect from you everything that is
great and noble--the condition is not difficult--what proofs of your
graciousness will then await us?"

"Paint them with all the fervour of that vivid power of imagination
which interpreted even my glance in your favour, and devised the marvels
by which you rendered the greatest and most brilliant man in Rome
the happiest of mortals. But--by Zeus!--it is the fourth hour after
noonday!"

A glance from the window had caused the exclamation. Then, pressing his
hand upon his heart, he continued in a tone of the most sincere regret
"How gladly I would prolong this fascinating conversation, but important
matters which, unfortunately, cannot be deferred, summon me--"

"And your answer?" cried Cleopatra, panting for breath and gazing at him
with eyes full of expectation.

"Must I repeat it?" he asked with impatient haste. "Very well, then.
In return for implicit confid