ents. The
Oriental recklessly squandered her once noble gifts of intellect and the
wealth of her people, yielded to the hasty impulses of her passionate
nature.' But you shall also say to them: 'Your mother's heart was full of
ardent love, she scorned what was base, strove for the highest goal, and
when she fell, preferred death to treachery and disgrace.'"

Here she paused, for she thought she heard footsteps approaching, and
then exclaimed anxiously: "I am waiting--expecting. Perhaps Antony cannot
escape from the paralyzing grasp of despair. To fight the last battle
without him, and yet under the gaze of his wrathful, gloomy eyes, once so
full of sunshine, would be the greatest sorrow of my life. Archibius, I
may confess this to you, the friend who saw love for this man develop in
the breast of the child--But what does this mean? An uproar! Have the
people rebelled? Yesterday the representatives of the priesthood, the
members of the museum, and the leaders of the army assured me of their
changeless fidelity and love. Dion belonged to the Macedonian men of the
Council; yet I have already declared, in accordance with the truth, that
I never intended to persecute him on Caesarion's account. I do not even
know--and do not desire to know the refuge of the lately wedded pair. Or
has the new tax levied, the command to seize the treasures of the temple,
driven them to extremities? What am I to do? We need gold to bid the foe
defiance, to preserve the independence of the throne, the country, and
the people. Or have tidings from Rome? It is becoming serious--and the
noise is growing louder."

"Let me see what they want," Archibius anxiously interrupted, hastening
to the door; but just at that moment the Introducer opened it, crying,
"Mark Antony is approaching the Lochias, attended by half Alexandria!"

"The noble Imperator is returning!" fell from the bearded lips of the
commander of the guard, ere the courtier's words had died away; and even
while he spoke Iras pressed past him, shrieking as if half frantic: "He
is coming! He is here! I knew he would come! How they are shouting and
cheering! Out with you, men! If you are willing, my royal mistress, we
will greet him from the balcony of Berenike. If we only had--"

"The twins--little Alexander!" interrupted Cleopatra, with blanched face
and faltering voice. "Put on their festal garments."

"Quick--the children, Zoe!" cried Iras, completing the order and clapping
her hands.