“But she does love me, and even should she no longer—­”

“The test is at hand.  We will leave the decision to her.  You shall confess that you were the culprit who aided Barine to escape her power to punish.”

“Archibius!”

“If you did not, a series of falsehoods must ensue.  Try whether the petty qualities in her nature, which urged her to commit the fate of Leonax’s daughter to unworthy hands, are more powerful than the nobler ones.  Try whether she is worthy of the self-sacrificing fidelity which you have given her all your life.  If she remains the same as before, spite of this admission—­”

Here he was interrupted by Anukis, who asked if her mistress would see Iras at this late hour.  “Admit her,” replied Archibius, after hastily exchanging glances with his sister, whose face had paled at his demand.  He perceived it and, as the servant withdrew, he clasped her hand, saying with earnest affection:  “I gave you my opinion, but at our age we must take counsel with ourselves, and you will find the right path.”

“I have already found it,” she answered softly with downcast eyes.  “This visitor brought a speedy decision.  I must not feel ashamed in Iras’s presence.”

She had scarcely finished speaking when the Queen’s younger confidante entered.  She was excited and, after casting a searching glance around the familiar room, she asked, after a curt greeting: 

“No one knows where the Queen has gone.  Mardion received the procession in her place.  Did she take you into her confidence?”

Charmian answered in the negative, and inquired whether Antony had arrived, and how she had found him.

“In a pitiable state,” was the reply.  “I hastened hither to prevent the Queen from visiting him, if possible.  She would have received a rebuff.  It is horrible.”

“The disappointment of Paraetonium is added to the other burdens,” observed Archibius.

“A feather compared with the rest,” cried Iras indignantly.  “What a spectacle!  A shrivelled soul, never too large, in the body of a powerful giant.  Disaster crushes the courage of the descendant of Herakles.  The weakling will drag the Queen’s splendid courage with him into the dust.”

“We will do our best to prevent it,” replied Archibius firmly.  “The immortals have placed you and Charmian at her side to sustain her, if her own strength fails.  The time to test your powers has arrived.”

“I know my duty,” replied Iras austerely.

“Prove it!” said Archibius earnestly.  “You think you have cause for anger against Charmian.”

“Whoever treats my foes so tenderly can doubtless dispense with my affection.  Where is your ward?”