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"It is done!" quoth Charmion; "we are avenged, and now, Harmachis, dost follow by this same road?" And she nodded towards the phial on the board. "Nay, Charmion. I fly I fly to a heavier death! Not thus easily may I end my space of earthly penance." "So be it, Harmachis! And I, Harmachis I fly also, but with swifter wings. My game is played. I, too, have made atonement.
Cleopatra's determination. Cleopatra visits Antony's tomb. Her composure on her return. Cleopatra's supper. The basket of figs. Cleopatra's letter to Octavius. She is found dead. Death of Charmion. Amazement of the by-standers. Various conjectures as to the cause of Cleopatra's death. Opinion of Octavius. His triumph.
Now mark, Olympus, the power of jealousy, that little wedge which yet has strength to rend the tree of Empire, that secret sword which can carve the fate of Kings! This she could in no wise bear deny it, Charmion, if thou canst, for now it is clear to me! that the man she loved should be given to me as husband me, whom he loved!
So henceforward will you always be called. You must forget too, my earthly name, and speak to me as Charmion. This is indeed no dream! Dreams are with us no more; but of these mysteries anon. I rejoice to see you looking life-like and rational. The film of the shadow has already passed from off your eyes. Be of heart and fear nothing.
For I do believe that the love that sank me to so low a depth, dragging thee with me, can yet lift me to an equal height, and thee with me!" "Wouldst tempt me to fresh sin, woman? And dost thou think, Charmion, that in some hovel where I must hide, I could bear, day by day, to look upon thy fair face, and seeing, remember that those lips betrayed me? Not thus easily shalt thou atone!
Then Charmion drew near me, and I saw that she, too, was weeping. "Weep not, Harmachis!" she sobbed, kneeling at my side. "I cannot endure to see thee weep. Oh! why wouldst thou not be warned? Then hadst thou been great and happy, and not as now. Listen, Harmachis! Thou didst hear what that false and tigerish woman said to-morrow she hands thee over to the murderers!" "It is well," I gasped.
And so amidst their laughter I withdraw to my watch-tower, and, dashing that shameful chaplet down amidst the instruments of my craft, made pretence to note the rolling of the stars. There I waited, thinking on many things that were to be, until Charmion should come with the last lists of the doomed and the messages of my uncle Sepa, whom she had seen that evening.
Charmion! thou hast much to answer, for thou hast changed the story of the world; and yet, even now I would not have it otherwise!" She paused awhile, covering her eyes with her hand; and, looking, I saw great tears upon the cheek of Charmion. "And of this Harmachis," I asked; "where is he now, O Queen?" "Where is he? In Amenti, forsooth making his peace with Isis, perchance.
Dost remember how, when I would have died by thy dear hand, thou wouldst not slay, but didst bid me live to pluck the bitter fruit of crime, and be accursed by visions of the evil I had wrought and memories of thee whom I have ruined?" "Ay, Charmion, I remember well." "Surely the cup of punishment has been filled.
And so we passed the palace gates and along the Alabaster Hall, and presently once again I stood before the door of Cleopatra's chamber, and once again Charmion left me to warn her of my coming. Presently she came back and beckoned to me. "Make strong thy heart," she whispered, "and see that thou dost not betray thyself, for still are the eyes of Cleopatra keen. Enter!"
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