trees across the paths.
Under one of these trees, an ancient, green-leaved oak, the largest of
a little grove, I saw a woman sitting. Perchance I knew who she was,
perchance I had come thither to meet her, I cannot say. At least, this
was not our first meeting by many, for as I came she rose, lifting her
flower-like face towards my own, and next moment was in my arms.

When we had kissed our full, we began to talk, seated hand in hand
beneath the oak.

"What have you been doing this day, beloved?" she asked.

"Much what I do every day, Heliodore. I have attended to my duties,
which are threefold, as Chamberlain, as Master of the Palace, and as
Captain of the Guard. Also, for a little while, I saw the Augusta, to
whom I had to report various matters. The interview was brief, since a
rumour had reached her that the Armenian regiments refuse to take the
oath of fidelity to her alone, as she has commanded should be done, and
demand that the name of the Emperor, her son, should be coupled with
hers, as before. This report disturbed her much, so that she had little
time for other business."

"Did you speak of my father's matter, Olaf?"

"Aye, shortly. She listened, and asked whether I were sure that I had
got the truth from him. She added that I had best test it by what I
could win from you by any arts that a man may use. For, Heliodore,
because of something that my god-mother, Martina, said to her, it is
fixed in her mind that you are black-skinned and very ugly. Therefore,
the Augusta, who does not like any man about her to care for other
women, thinks I may make love to you with safety. So I prayed for leave
from my duties on the guard this evening that I might sup with your
father in the guest-house, and see what I could learn from one or both
of you."

"Love makes you clever, Olaf. But hearken. I do not believe that the
Empress thinks me black and ugly any longer. As it chanced while I
walked in the inner garden this afternoon, where you said I might go
when I wished to be quite alone, dreaming of our love and you, I looked
up and saw an imperial woman of middle age, who was gorgeous as
a peacock, watching me from a little distance. I went on my way,
pretending to see no one, and heard the lady say:

"'Has all this trouble driven me mad, Martina, or did I behold a woman
beautiful as one of the nymphs of my people's fables wandering yonder
among those bushes?'

"I repeat her very words, Olaf, not because they a