should say. Give me one moment
to make my peace with Heaven as to certain kisses. Then strike hard and
swiftly, and, as you strike, scream for your guards and women. Your wit
will do the rest."

She lifted the sword, while, after a moment's prayer, I bared my neck of
the silk robe. Then she let it fall again, gasping, and said:

"Tell me first, for I am curious. Are you no man? Or have you forsworn
woman, as do the monks?"

"Not I, Augusta. Had I lived, some day I might have married, who would
have wished to leave children behind me, since in our law marriage is
allowed. Forget not your promise as to the Bishop Barnabas, who, I fear,
will weep over this seeming fall of mine."

"So you would marry, would you?" she said, as one who speaks to herself;
then thought awhile, and handed me back the sword.

"Olaf," she went on, "you have made me feel as I never felt
before--ashamed, utterly ashamed, and though I learn to hate you, as it
well may hap I shall, know that I shall always honour you."

Then she sank down upon the couch, and, hiding her face in her hands,
wept bitterly.

It was at this moment that I went very near to loving Irene.

I think she must have felt something of what was passing in my mind, for
suddenly she looked up and said: "Give me that jewel," and she pointed
to the diadem on the floor, "and help me to order my hair; my hands
shake."

"Nay," I said, as I gave her the crown. "Of that wine I drink no more. I
dare not touch you; you grow too dear."

"For those words," she whispered, "go in safety, and remember that from
Irene you have naught to fear, as I know well I have naught to fear from
you, O Prince among men."

So presently I went.

On the following morning, as I sat in my office at the prison, setting
all things in order for whoever should succeed me, Martina entered, as
she had done before.

"How came you here unannounced?" I asked, when she was seated.

"By virtue of this," she answered, holding up her hand and showing on
it a ring I knew. It was the signet of the Empress. I saluted the seal,
saying:

"And for what purpose, Martina? To order me to bonds or death?"

"To bonds or death!" she exclaimed innocently. "What can our good Olaf
have done worthy of such woes? Nay, I come to free one from bonds,
and perhaps from death, namely, a certain heretic bishop who is named
Barnabas. Here is the order for his release, signed by the Augusta's
hand and sealed with her seal, unde