Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 2, 2025
Charmian, too, was the Queen's confidante; and if the manner of Iras and Alexas had alarmed her, Charmian's might well inspire confidence. All these thoughts darted through her brain with the speed of lightning.
As they approached the apartments occupied by Caesarion, Antyllus's loud voice reached them through the open door, whose curtain was only half drawn. The first word which the Queen distinguished was her own name; so, motioning to her companion, she stood still. Barine was again the subject of conversation. Antony's son was relating what Alexas had told him.
She had believed that this step would afford the gay, beautiful girl the best protection from the perils of the corrupt capital; but the worthless husband had caused both mother and daughter much care and sorrow, while his brother Alexas, who constantly pursued his young sister-in-law with insulting attentions, was the source of almost equal trouble.
Not until she entered the second room, which she had assigned to her guest, did she find Barine, who was weeping bitterly. During Charmian's absence the latter had received a letter from Alexas, in which he informed her that he was ordered by the Queen to subject her to an examination the next morning.
The second month of their flight a letter arrived from Archibius, in which he informed them that they might soon form plans for their return, for Alexas, the Syrian, had proved a malicious traitor. He had not performed the commission entrusted to him of winning Herod to Antony's cause, but treacherously deserted his patron and remained with the King of the Jews.
With these words he bowed courteously to Barine, and ushered her and her two companions through several corridors and apartments into a well- heated anteroom. Here even the windows were thoroughly protected from the storm. Several body-guards and pages belonging to the corps of the "royal boys" stood waiting to receive them. "This is comfortable." said Alexas, turning to Iras.
And now the king was in a wild rage against them all, the innocent as well as those that had afforded ground for accusations; and when they were come, he ordered them to be all shut up in the hyppodrome, and sent for his sister Salome, and her husband Alexas, and spake thus to them: "I shall die in a little time, so great are my pains; which death ought to be cheerfully borne, and to be welcomed by all men; but what principally troubles me is this, that I shall die without being lamented, and without such mourning as men usually expect at a king's death."
Alexas, the most faithful of his friends, also confirmed what I merely feared ah! and he told me other things which the stars had revealed to him. Besides, he knows the siren, for she was the wife of his own brother. To protect his honour, he cast off the coquettish Circe." "Barine!" fell in resolute tones from the lips of Iras. "So you know her?" asked Cleopatra, eagerly.
"I do not know what you intend," she said in conclusion, "but, notwithstanding my love for her, I must perhaps decide in favour of what is most difficult, for when she learns that it was I who withdrew the daughter of Leonax from her and the base Alexas what treatment can I expect, especially as Iras no longer gives me the same affection, and shows that she has forgotten my love and care?
But you will have her examined, and then What may she not make of the story of Mark Antony, Barine, and the two armlets? Perhaps it will be a masterpiece." "Do you know its real history?" asked Cleopatra, clasping her fingers more closely around the pencil in her hand. "If I did," replied Alexas, smiling significantly, "the receiver of stolen goods should not betray the thief."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking