n hope to do, he gets your kisses in
whatever corner of the earth will shelter him and you. If _I_ win him,
the empire of the earth is his. Moreover, girl," she added with meaning,
"empresses are not always jealous; sometimes even they can look the
other way. There would be high place for you within our Court, and, who
knows? Your turn might come at length. Also your father's plans would be
forwarded to the last pound of gold in our treasury and the last soldier
in our service. Within five years, mayhap, he might rule Egypt as our
Governor. What say you?"

Heliodore looked at the Empress with that strange, slow smile of hers.
Then she looked at me, and answered:

"I say what Olaf says. There are two empires in the case. One, which
you can give, Augusta, is of the world; the other, which I can give him
here, is only a woman's heart, yet, as I think, of another eternal world
that you do not know. I say what Olaf says. Let Olaf speak, Augusta."

"Empress," I said slowly, "again I thank you, but it may not be. My fate
lies here," and I laid my hand upon the heart of Heliodore.

"You are mistaken, Olaf," answered the Empress, in a cold and quiet
voice, but seemingly without anger; "your fate lies there," and she
pointed to the ground, then added, "Believe me, I am sorry, for you are
a man of whom any woman might be proud--yes, even an empress. I have
always thought it, and I thought it again just now when I saw you lead
that charge against those curs in armour," and she pointed towards the
bodies of the Greeks. "So, it is finished, as perchance I am. If I must
die, let it be on your sword, Olaf."

"Your answer, Olaf Red-Sword!" called Jodd. "You have talked enough."

"Your answer! Yes, your answer!" the Northmen echoed.

"The Empress has offered to share her crown with me, Jodd, but, friends,
it cannot be, because of this lady to whom I am affianced."

"Marry them both," shouted a rude voice, but Jodd replied:

"Then that is soon settled. Out of our path, Olaf, and look the other
way. When you turn your head again there will be no Empress to trouble
you, except one of your own choosing."

On hearing these words, and seeing the swords draw near, Irene clutched
hold of me, for always she feared death above everything.

"You will not see me butchered?" she gasped.

"Not while I live," I answered. "Hearken, friends. I am the general
of the Augusta's guard, and if she dies, for honour's sake I must die
first. Strike,