learned presently. Well, they came, and I
curtsied to them.

"'Are you the daughter of Magas, the Egyptian?' asked the lady, eyeing
me from head to foot.

"'Yes, Madam,' I answered. 'I am Heliodore, the daughter of Magas.
I pray that I have done no wrong in walking in this garden, but the
General Olaf, the Master of the Palace, gave me leave to come here.'

"'And did the General Olaf, whom we know as Michael, give you that
necklace which you wear, also, O Daughter of Magas? Nay, you must needs
answer me, for I am the Augusta.'

"Now I curtsied again, and said:

"'Not so, O Augusta; the necklace is from Old Egypt, and was found upon
the body of a royal lady in a tomb. I have worn it for many years.'

"'Indeed, and that which the General Michael wears came also from a
tomb.'

"'Yes, he told me so, Augusta,' I said.

"'It would seem that the two must once have been one, Daughter of
Magas?'

"'It may be so, Augusta; I do not know.'

"Now the Empress looked about her, and the lady Martina, dropping
behind, began to fan herself.

"'Are you married, girl?' she asked.

"'No,' I answered.

"'Are you affianced?'

"Now I hesitated a little, then answered 'No' again.

"'You seem to be somewhat doubtful on the point. Farewell for this
while. When you walk abroad in our garden, which is open to you, be
pleased to array yourself in the dress of our country, and not in that
of a courtesan of Egypt.'"

"What did you answer to that saying?" I asked.

"That which was not wise, I fear, Olaf, for my temper stirred me.
I answered: 'Madam, I thank you for your permission to walk in your
garden. If ever I should do so again as your guest, be sure that I will
not wear garments which, before Byzantium was a village, were sacred to
the gods of my country and those of my ancestors the Queens of Egypt.'"

"And then?" I asked.

"The Empress answered: 'Well spoken! Such would have been my own words
had I been in your place. Moreover, they are true, and the robe becomes
you well. Yet presume not too far, girl, seeing that Byzantium is no
longer a village, and Egypt has some fanatic Moslem for a Pharaoh, who
thinks little of your ancient blood.'

"So I bowed and went, and as I walked away heard the Empress rating the
lady Martina about I know not what, save that your name came into the
matter, and my own. Why does this Empress talk so much about you, Olaf,
seeing that she has many officers who are higher in her service, and w