vellously becoming.

He was a base-minded voluptuary, who, aided by rich gifts of mind
and wide knowledge, had shunned no means of ingratiating himself
with Antony, the most lavish of patrons. The repulse which this man,
accustomed to success, had received from Barine had been hard to forget,
yet he did not resign the hope of winning her. Never had she seemed more
desirable than in her touching weakness. Even base natures are averse
to witnessing the torture of the defenceless, and when Iras had aimed
another poisoned shaft at her, he ventured, at the risk of vexing his
ally, to say, under his breath:

"Condemned criminals are usually granted, before their end, a favourite
dish. I have no cause to wish Barine anything good; but I would not
grudge that. You, on the contrary, seem to delight in pouring wormwood
on her last mouthful."

"Certainly," she answered, her eyes sparkling brightly. "Malice is the
purest of pleasures; at least to me, when exercised on this woman."

The Syrian, with a strange smile, held out his hand, saying: "Keep your
good-will towards me, Iras."

"Because," she retorted with a sneer, "evil may follow my enmity. I
think so, too. I am not especially sensitive concerning myself, but
whoever dares"--here she raised her voice--"to harm one whom I--Just
listen to the cheers! How she carries all hearts with her! Though Fate
had made her a beggar, she would still be peerless among women. She is
like the sun. The clouds which intrude upon her pathway of radiance are
consumed and disappear."

While uttering the last sentence she had turned towards Barine, whose
ear the sharp voice again pierced like a thorn, as she commanded her to
prepare for the examination.

Almost at the same moment the door, caught by the wind, closed with a
loud bang. The "introducer"--[Marshal of the court.]--had opened it,
and, after a hasty glance, exclaimed:

"The audience will not be given in this meeting place for all the winds
of heaven! Her Majesty desires to receive her late visitor in the Hall
of Shells."

With these words he bowed courteously to Barine, and ushered her and
her two companions through several corridors and apartments into a
well-heated anteroom.

Here even the windows were thoroughly protected from the storm. Several
body-guards and pages belonging to the corps of the "royal boys" stood
waiting to receive them.

"This is comfortable." said Alexas, turning to Iras. "Was the winter we
have just