He thinks that new sources of wealth have revealed
themselves not far from the head of the sacred river which can hardly
flow in from the ocean, as the ancients supposed."

"And now?" asked Cleopatra. "What information is he giving to the
Egyptians?"

The chamberlain hastened towards Euergetes' couch, and soon returned to
the queen--who meanwhile had exchanged a few friendly words with Onias,
the Hebrew commander--and informed her in a low tone that the king
was interpreting a passage from the Timaeus of Plato, in which Solon
celebrates the lofty wisdom of the priests of Sais; he was speaking with
much spirit, and the Egyptians received it with loud applause.

Cleopatra's countenance darkened more and more, but she concealed it
behind her fan, signed to Philometor to approach, and whispered to him:

"Keep near Euergetes; he has a great deal too much to say to the
Egyptians. He is extremely anxious to stand well with them, and those
whom he really desires to please are completely entrapped by his
portentous amiability. He has spoiled my evening, and I shall leave you
to yourselves."

"Till to-morrow, then."

"I shall hear the Roman's complaint up on my roof-terrace; there is
always a fresh air up there. If you wish to be present I will send for
you, but first I would speak to him alone, for he has received letters
from the Senate which may contain something of importance. So, till
to-morrow."

CHAPTER XII.

While, in the vast peristyle, many a cup was still being emptied, and
the carousers were growing merrier and noisier--while Cleopatra
was abusing the maids and ladies who were undressing her for their
clumsiness and unreadiness, because every touch hurt her, and every
pin taken out of her dress pricked her--the Roman and his friend Lysias
walked up and down in their tent in violent agitation.

"Speak lower," said the Greek, "for the very griffins woven into
the tissue of these thin walls seem to me to be lying in wait, and
listening.

"I certainly was not mistaken. When I came to fetch the gems I saw a
light gleaming in the doorway as I approached it; but the intruder must
have been warned, for just as I got up to the lantern in front of
the servants' tent, it disappeared, and the torch which usually burns
outside our tent had not been lighted at all; but a beam of light fell
on the road, and a man's figure slipped across in a black robe sprinkled
with gold ornaments which I saw glitter as the pale