wn weak, Charmian had
always been so.

She would have had time enough now to consider what step to take first,
had not her heart ached so sorely.

After the huge galley lay moored, several minutes elapsed ere two
pastophori of the goddess Isis, who guarded the goblet of Nektanebus,
taken from the temple treasures and borne along in a painted chest,
stepped upon the bridge, followed by Cleopatra's first chamberlain,
who in a low tone announced the approach of the Queen and commanded
the waiting groups to make way. A double line of torch-bearers had been
stationed from the landing to the gate leading into the Bruchium, and
the other on the north, which was the entrance to the palaces on the
Lochias, since it was not known where Cleopatra would desire to go. The
chamberlain, however, said that she would spend the night at Lochias,
where the children lived, and ordered all the flickering, smoking
torches, save a few, to be extinguished.

Mardion, the Keeper of the Seal, Archibius, and Iras were standing by
the bridge a little in advance of the others, when voices were heard on
the ship, and the Queen appeared, preceded by several lantern-bearers
and followed by a numerous train of court officials, pages, maids, and
female slaves. Cleopatra's little hand rested on Charmian's arm, as,
with a haughty carriage of the head, she moved towards the shore. A
thick veil covered her face, and a large, dark cloak concealed her
figure. How elastic her step was still! how proud yet graceful was the
gesture with which she waved a greeting to Mardion and Zeno.

Extending her hand to raise Iras, who had sunk prostrate before her, she
kissed her on the forehead, whispering, "The children?"

"All is well with them," replied the girl.

Then the returning sovereign greeted the others with a gracious gesture,
but vouchsafed a word to no one until the eunuch stepped before her
to deliver his address of welcome. She motioned him aside with a curt
"Later"; and when Zeno held open the door of the litter, she said in
a stifled tone: "I will walk. After the rocking of the galley in this
tempest, I feel reluctant to enter the litter. There are many things
to be considered to-day. An idea came to me on the way home. Summon the
captain of the harbour and his chief counsellors, the heads of the war
office, the superintendent of the fortifications on land and water,
especially the Aristarch and Gorgias--I want to see them. Time presses.
They must be