uld it fare with any
woman whom it was known that I wished to wed? I must be secret until she
was gone from Constantinople, and in this way or in that I could
follow her. I, who had ever been open-minded, must learn to keep my own
counsel.

Now, too, I remembered how Barnabas had said the Augusta commanded that
this Prince Magas and his daughter should come to the palace as her
guests. Well, the place was vast, a town in itself, and likely enough
I should not see them there. Yet I longed to see one of them as never
I had longed for anything before. I was sure, also, that no fears could
keep us apart, even though I knew the road before me to be full of
dangers and of trials, knew that I went with my life in my hand, the
life of which I had been quite careless, but that now had become so dear
to me. For did not the world hold another to whom it belonged?

The night passed away. I rose and went about my morning duties. Scarcely
were these finished when a messenger summoned me to the presence of the
Augusta. I followed him with a sinking heart, certain that those woes
which I had foreseen were about to begin. Also, now there was no woman
in the whole world whom I less wished to see than Irene, Empress of the
Earth.

I was led to the small audience chamber, whereof I have already spoken,
that on the floor of which was the mosaic of the goddess Venus making
pretence to kill her lover. There I found the Augusta seated in a chair
of State, the minister Stauracius, my god-father, who glowered at me
as I entered, some secretaries, and Martina, my god-mother, who was the
lady in attendance.

I saluted the Empress, who bowed graciously and said:

"General Olaf--nay, I forgot, General Michael, your god-father
Stauracius has something to say which I trust will please you as much as
it does him and me. Speak, Stauracius."

"Beloved god-son," began Stauracius, in a voice of sullen rage, "it has
pleased the Augusta to appoint you----"

"On the prayer and advice of me, Stauracius," interrupted the Empress.

"----On the prayer and advice of me, Stauracius," repeated the eunuch
like a talking bird, "to be one of her chamberlains and Master of the
Palace, at a salary of" (I forget the sum, but it was a great one) "with
all the power and perquisites to that office pertaining, in reward of
the services which you have rendered to her and the Empire. Thank the
Empress for her gracious favour."

"Nay," interrupted Irene again, "thank