Now Irene turned to Heliodore, and said in a swift, low voice: 

“Do you understand this matter, lady?  Let us have done with jealousies and be plain, for the lives of all of us hang upon threads that, for some, must break within a day or two, and with them those of a thousand, thousand others.  Aye, the destiny of the world is at stake.  You say you love this man, whom I will tell you I love also.  Well, if you win him, and he lives, which he scarce can 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, then, if you will, but through my body.”