ned to me that
morning which I found it hard to understand. Why had the Augusta kissed
me? I took it that this was some kind of imperial jest. It was known
that I kept aloof from women, and she may have desired to see what I
should do when an Augusta kissed me, and then to make a mock of me. I
had heard that she had done as much with others.

Well, let that be, since Stauracius, who always feared lest a new
favourite should slip between him and power, had settled the matter for
me, for which I blessed Stauracius, although at the moment, being but a
man, I had cursed him. And now why did Martina--the little, dark Martina
with the kind face and the watchful, beady eyes, like to those of a
robin in our northern lands--speak as she had done, and then burst into
tears?

A doubt struck me, but I, who was never vain, pushed it aside. I did not
understand, and of what use was it to try to interpret the meaning of
the moods of women? My business was war, or, at the moment, the service
that has to do with war, not women. Wars had brought me to the rank I
held, though, strangely enough, of those wars I can recall nothing now;
they have vanished from my vision. To wars also I looked to advance me
in the future, who was no courtier, but a soldier, whom circumstances
had brought to Court. Well, thanks to Martina, as she said, or to some
caprice of the Empress, I had a new commission that was of more worth to
me than her random kisses, and I would go to read it.

Read it I did in the little private room upon the palace wall which was
mine as captain of the Augusta's guard, though, being written in
Greek, I found this difficult. Martina had spoken truly. I was made the
Governor of the State prison, with all authority, including that of life
and death should emergency arise. Moreover, this governorship gave me
the rank of a general, with a general's pay, also such pickings as
I chose to take. In short, from captain of the guard, suddenly I had
become a great man in Constantinople, one with whom even Stauracius
and others like him would have to reckon, especially as his signature
appeared upon the commission beneath that of the Empress.

Whilst I was wondering what I should do next, a trumpet blew upon the
ramparts, and a Northman of my company entered, saluted and said that I
was summoned. I went out, and there before me stood a dazzling band
that bowed humbly to me, whom yesterday they would have passed without
notice. Their captai