it only at second and third hand. And what are
mere rumours? The source of the false tidings is discovered later.
Besides, even if the naval battle were really lost, the powerful army,
which is far superior to Octavianus's forces, still remains. Which of the
enemy's generals could cope with Antony on the land? How he will fight
when all is at stake-fame, honour, sovereignty, hate, and love! Away with
this fear, based on mere rumour! After Dyrrachium Caesar's cause was
deemed lost, and how soon Pharsalus made him master of the world! Is it
worthy of a sensible person to suffer courage to be depressed by a
sailor's gossip? And yet--yet! It began while I was ill. And then the
swallows on the Antonias, the admiral's ship. We have already spoken of
it. Mardiou and your uncle Zeno saw with their own eyes the strange
swallows drive away those which had built their nest on the helm of the
Antonias, and kill the young ones with their cruel beaks. An evil omen!

"I cannot forget it. And my dream, while I lay ill with fever far away
from my mistress! But I have already lingered here too long. No, Dion,
no. I am grateful for the rest here--I can now feel at ease about
Caesarion. Place the monument where you choose. The people shall see and
hear that we respect their opposition, that we are just and friendly.
Help me to turn this matter to the advantage of the Queen, and if
Archibius succeeds in getting Barine away and keeping her in the country,
then--if I had aught that seemed to you desirable it should be yours. But
what does the petted Dion care for his fading playfellow?"

"Fading?" he repeated in a tone of indignant reproach. "Say rather the
fully developed flower has learned from her royal friend the secret of
eternal youth."

With a swift impulse of gratitude Iras bent her face towards him in the
dusk, extending the slender white hand--next to Cleopatra's famed as the
most beautiful at court--for him to kiss, but when he merely pressed his
lips lightly on it with no shadow of tenderness, she hastily withdrew it,
exclaiming as if overwhelmed by sudden repentance: "This idle, hollow
dalliance at such a time, with such a burden of anxiety oppressing the
heart! It is un worthy, shameful! If Barine goes with Archibius, her time
will scarcely hang heavy on his estates. I think I know some one who will
speedily follow to bear her company.--Here, Sasis! the bearers! To the
Tower of Nilus, before the Gate of the Sun!"

Dion gazed