your beloved god-father
Stauracius, who has given me no peace until I offered you this
preferment which has suddenly become vacant, Stauracius alone knows
why, for I do not. Oh! you were wise, Olaf--I mean Michael--to choose
Stauracius for a god-father, though I warn him," she added archly, "that
in his natural love he must not push you forward too fast lest others
should begin to show that jealousy which is a stranger to his noble
nature. Come hither, Michael, and kiss my hand upon your appointment."

So I advanced and, kneeling, kissed the Augusta's hand, according to
custom on such occasions, noting, as doubtless Stauracius did also, that
she pressed it hard enough against my lips. Then I rose and said:

"I thank the Augusta----"

"And my god-father Stauracius," she interrupted.

"----And my god-father Stauracius," I echoed, "for her and his goodness
towards me. Yet with humility I venture to say that I am a soldier who
knows nothing whatsoever of the duties of a chamberlain and of a Master
of the Palace, and, therefore, I beg that someone else more competent
may be chosen to fill these high offices."

On hearing these words Stauracius stared at me with his round and
owl-like eyes. Never before had he known an officer in Constantinople
who wished to decline power and more pay. Scarcely, indeed, could he
believe his ears. But the Augusta only laughed.

"Baptism has not changed you, Olaf," she said, "who ever were simple,
as I believe your duties will be. At any rate, your god-father and
god-mother will instruct you in them--especially your god-mother. So no
more of such foolish talk. Stauracius, you may be gone to attend to the
affairs of which we have been speaking, as I see you burn to do, and
take those secretaries with you, for the scratching of their pens sets
my teeth on edge. Bide here a moment, General, for as Master of the
Palace it will be your duty to receive certain guests to-day of whom I
wish to speak with you. Bide you also, Martina, that you may remember my
words in case this unpractised officer should forget them."

Stauracius and his secretaries bowed themselves out, leaving the three
of us alone.

"Now, Olaf, or Michael--which do you wish to be called?"

"It is more easy for a man to alter his nature than his name," I
answered.

"Have you altered your nature? If so, your manners remain much what they
were. Well, then, be Olaf in private and Michael in public, for often an
alias is conven