Cleopatra

by H. Rider Haggard

  I saw Cleopatra no more that day, but on the day which followed I sawher. She was in a heavy mood, and had no gentle word for me. I spake toher of the defence of Egypt, but she put the matter away.

  "Why dost thou weary me?" she said with anger; "canst thou not see thatI am lost in troubles? When Dellius has had his answer to-morrow then wewill speak of these matters."

  "Ay," I said, "when Dellius has had his answer; and knowest thou thatbut yesterday, Charmion--whom about the palace they name the 'Keeperof the Queen's secrets'--Charmion swore that the answer would be 'Go inpeace, I come to Antony!'"

  "Charmion knows nothing of my heart," said Cleopatra, stamping her footin anger, "and if she talk so freely the girl shall be scourged out ofmy Court, as is her desert. Though, in truth," she added, "she has morewisdom in that small head of hers than all my privy councillors--ay,and more wit to use it. Knowest thou that I have sold a portion of thosegems to the rich Jews of Alexandria, and at a great price, ay, at fivethousand sestertia for each one?[*] But a few, in truth, for they couldnot buy more as yet. It was rare to see their eyes when they fell uponthem: they grew large as apples with avarice and wonder. And now leaveme, Harmachis, for I am weary. The memory of that dreadful night is withme yet."

  [*] About forty thousand pounds of our money.--Editor.

  I bowed and rose to go, and yet stood wavering.

  "Pardon me, Cleopatra; it is of our marriage."

  "Our marriage! Why, are we not indeed already wed?" she answered.

  "Yes; but not before the world. Thou didst promise."

  "Ay, Harmachis, I promised; and to-morrow, when I have rid me of thisDellius, I will keep my promise, and name thee Cleopatra's Lord beforethe Court. See that thou art in thy place. Art content?"

  And she stretched out her hand for me to kiss, looking on me withstrange eyes, as though she struggled with herself. Then I went; butthat night I strove once more to see Cleopatra, and could not. "The LadyCharmion was with the Queen," so said the eunuchs, and none might enter.