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We dismounted at the pylon, and were met beneath the portico by a man not great of stature, but of noble aspect, having his head shaven, and with dark eyes that twinkled like the further stars. "Hold!" he cried, in a great voice which fitted his weak body but ill. "Hold! I am Sepa, who opens the mouth of the Gods!"
Then I bethought me of my prayer upon the pylon tower of Abouthis and of the answer given to my prayer, and wondered if that, too, were a dream. And one night, as, weary with study, I walked within the sacred grove that is in the garden of the temple, and mused thus, I met my uncle Sepa, who also was walking and thinking. "Hold!" he cried in his great voice; "why is thy face so sad, Harmachis?
Day by day, those who doubted were won over and sworn to the cause by that oath which cannot be broken, and our plans of action more firmly laid. And every other day I went forth from the palace to take counsel with my uncle Sepa, and there at his house met the Nobles and the great priests who were for the party of Khem.
Among these, indeed, I took high rank, filling my knowledge of their secrets which I had learned at Annu what I lacked in that skill which comes from use. And so with no small shame, for I love not such play and hold this common magic in contempt, I set forth through the Bruchium to the palace on the Lochias, being guided on my way by my uncle Sepa.
Then I will meet thee; and, passing on, we will come to Paulus, and it shall be my care to see that he is neither drunk nor backward, for I know how to hold him to the task. And he and those with him shall throw open the side gate, when Sepa and the five hundred chosen men who are in waiting shall pour in and cast themselves upon the sleeping legionaries, putting them to the sword.
And having looked my full and fed my heart, as it were, with the sight of splendour, I communed with the Holy Isis and came down from the roof. In the chamber beneath was my uncle Sepa. I told him that I had been watching the sun rise over the city of Alexandria. "So!" he said, looking at me from beneath his shaggy eyebrows; "and what thinkest thou of Alexandria?"
BRUNO. ¡Ah! ¡Señor D. Pedro de mi vida!... ¡algún ángel le ha traído a usted tan a punto! DON PEDRO. No me entretengas, Bruno, que estoy muy de prisa. BRUNO. Dos palabras tan sólo. DON PEDRO. Ni media. BRUNO. Sepa usted.... DON PEDRO. No quiero saber nada, déjame. BRUNO. Que la señorita.... DON PEDRO. Ya me lo dirás cuando vuelva ... suelta.
Turning once more to the right we came to a quieter portion of the city, where, except for parties of strolling revellers, the streets were still. Presently my guide halted at a house built of white stone. We passed in, and, crossing a small courtyard, entered a chamber where there was a light. And here, at last, I found my uncle Sepa, most glad to see me safe.
But I paid him for my fright, for it was I who put it into the mind of Cleopatra to bid the guards strike off his hand now, knowing who thou art, I would I had said his head." And she looked up shooting a glance at me and then smiled. "Enough," put in my uncle Sepa, "the time draws on. Tell thou thy mission, Charmion, and be gone."
Then, taking my hand, she touched it with her lips and went without any further word. "A strange woman!" said Sepa, when she had gone; "a most strange woman, and an uncertain!" "Methought, my uncle," I said, "that thou wast somewhat harsh with her." "Ay," he answered, "but not without a cause. Look thou, Harmachis; beware of this Charmion. She is too wayward, and, I fear me, may be led away.
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