waited her there, and hurriedly gave, in
the most rapturous terms, his report of them and the wonderful gifts
which became more and more apparent in each, now as a heritage from
their mother, now from their father.

Cleopatra had interrupted the torrent of his enthusiastic speech with
many a question, meanwhile endeavouring to loose the veil wound about
her head; but the little hands, unaccustomed to the task, failed. Iras
noticed it from the stairs and, hastening up the last steps, skilfully
released her from the long web of lace.

The Queen acknowledged the service by a gracious nod, but when the chief
eunuch opened the door leading into the children's rooms, she called
joyously to the brother and sister, "Come!" The tutor, who was obliged
to leave the charge of his pupils' sleeping apartments to the eunuchs
and nurses, drew back, but Iras felt it a bitter affront to be excluded
from this visit. Her cheeks flushed and paled; her thin lips were more
firmly compressed, and she gazed intently at the basket of fruit in
the mosaic floor at her feet as if she were counting the cherries
that filled it. But she suddenly pushed the little curls back from her
forehead, darted swiftly down the stairs, and called to Alexas just as
he was about to leave the atrium.

The Syrian hastened towards her, extolling the good fortune that made
his sun rise for him a second time that night, but she cut him short
with the words; "Cease this foolish love-making. It would be far better
for us both to become allies in serious, bitter earnest. I am ready."

"So am I!" cried the Syrian rapturously, pressing his hand upon his
heart.

Meanwhile Cleopatra had entered the chamber where the children lay
sleeping. Deep silence pervaded the lofty hall hung with bright-hued
carpets, and softly lighted by three lamps with rose-colored globes. An
arch, supported by pillars of Libyan marble, divided the wide space. In
the first, near a window closely muffled with draperies, stood two ivory
beds, surmounted with crowns of gold and silver set with pearls and
turquoises. Around the edge, carved by the hands of a great artist, ran
a line of happy children dancing to the songs of birds in blossoming
bushes.

The couches were separated by a heavy curtain which the eunuchs had
raised at the approach of the Queen. Cleopatra could now see them all at
a single glance, and the picture was indeed one of exquisite charm; for
on these beautiful couches slept the t