CHAPTER XVI.
Brothers and sisters are rarely talkative when they are together. AsCharmian went to Lochias with Archibius, it was difficult for her tofind words, the events of the past few hours had agitated her so deeply.Archibius, too, could not succeed in turning his thoughts in any otherdirection, though important and far more momentous things claimed hisattention.
They walked on silently side by side. In reply to his sister's inquirywhere the newly wedded pair were to be concealed, he had answered that,spite of her trustworthiness, this must remain a secret. To her secondquery, how had it been possible to use the interior of the Temple ofIsis without interruption, he also made a guarded reply.
In fact, it was the control of the subterranean corridors of thesanctuary which had suggested to Gorgias the idea of carrying Dionthrough them to Pyrrhus's fishing-boat. To accomplish this it was onlynecessary to have the Temple of Isis, which usually remained open dayand night, left to the fugitive's friends for a short time; and this wassuccessfully managed.
The historian Timagenes, who had come from Rome as ambassador andclaimed the hospitality of his former pupil Archibius, had beenempowered to offer Cleopatra recognition of her own and her children'sright to the throne, and a full pardon, if she would deliver Mark Antonyinto the hands of Octavianus, or have him put to death.
The Alexandrian Timagenes considered this demand both just anddesirable, because it promised to deliver his native city from theman whose despotic arrogance menaced its freedom, and whose lavishgenerosity and boundless love of splendour diminished its wealth. ToRome, as whose representative the historian appeared, this man's mereexistence meant constant turmoil and civil war. At the restoration ofthe flute-player by Gabinius and Mark Antony, Timagenes had been carriedinto slavery. Later, when, after his freedom had been purchased by theson of Sulla, he succeeded in attaining great influence in Rome, hestill remained hostile to Mark Antony, and it had been a welcomecharge to work against him in Alexandria. He hoped to find an ally inArchibius, whose loyal devotion to the Queen he knew. Arius, Barine'suncle and Octavianus's former tutor, would also aid him. The mostpowerful support of his mission, however, could be rendered by thevenerable chief priest, the head of the whole Egyptian hierarchy. He hadshown the latter that Antony, in any case, was a lost man, and Egypt wasin the act of dropping like a ripe fruit into the lap of Octavianus.It would soon be in his power to give the country whatever degreeof liberty and independence he might choose. The Caesar had the soledisposal of the Queen's fate also, and whoever desired to see her remainon the throne must strive to gain the good-will of Octavianus.
The wise Anubis had considered all these things, but he owed toTimagenes the hint that Arius was the man whom Octavianus most trusted.So the august prelate secretly entered into communication with Barine'suncle. But the dignity of his high office, and the feebleness of extremeage, forbade Anubis to seek the man who was suspected of friendshipfor the Romans. He had therefore sent his trusted secretary, the youngSerapion, to make a compact as his representative with the friend ofOctavianus, whose severe injuries prevented his leaving the house to goto the chief priest.
During Timagenes's negotiations with the secretary and Arius, Archibiuscame to entreat Barine's uncle to do everything in his power to save hisniece; and, as all the Queen's friends were anxious to prevent an actwhich, in these times of excitement, could not fail, on account of itsconnection with Dion, a member of the Council, to rouse a large numberof the citizens against her, Serapion, as soon as he was made aware ofthe matter, eagerly protested his readiness to do his best to save theimperilled lovers. He cared nothing for Barine or Dion as individuals,but he doubtless would have been ready to make a still greater sacrificeto win the influential Archibius, and especially Arius, who would havegreat power through Octavianus, the rising sun.
The men had just begun to discuss plans for saving Barine, when theNubian appeared and told Archibius what had been arranged beside Dion'ssick-bed by the freedman and Gorgias. The escape of the fugitivesdepended solely upon their reaching the boat unseen, and the surestway to accomplish this was to use the subterranean passage which thearchitect had again opened.
Archibius, to whom the representative of the chief priest had offeredhis aid, now took the others into his confidence, and Arius proposedthat Barine should marry Dion in the Temple of Isis, and the coupleshould afterwards be guided through the secret passage to the boat. Thisproposal was approved, and Serapion promised to reserve the sanctuaryfor the wedding of the fugitives for a short time after the departureof the procession, which was to take place at sunset. In return forthis service another might perhaps soon be requested from the friend ofOctavianus, who greeted his promise with grateful warmth.
"The priesthood," said Serapion, "takes sides with all who are unjustlypersecuted, and in this case bestows aid the more willingly on accountof its great anxiety to guard the Queen from an act which would bedifficult to approve." As for the fugitives, so far as he could see,only two possibilities were open to them: Cleopatra would cleave to MarkAntony and go--would that the immortals might avert it!--to ruin, orshe would sacrifice him and save her throne and life. In both cases theendangered lovers could soon return uninjured--the Queen had a mercifulheart, and never retained anger long if no guilt existed.
The details of the plan were then settled by Archibius, Anukis, andBerenike, who was with the family of Arius, and the decision wascommunicated to the architect. Archibius had maintained the same silenceconcerning the destination of the fugitives towards the men composingthe council and Barine's mother as to his sister. With regard to themission of Timagenes and the political questions which occupied hismind, he gave Charmian only the degree of information necessary toexplain the plan she so lovingly promoted; but she had no desire toknow more. On the way home her mind was wholly absorbed by the fear thatCleopatra had missed her services and discovered Barine's flight. True,she mentioned the Queen's desire to place her children in Archibius'scharge, but she could not give him full particulars until she reachedher own apartments.
Her absence had not been noticed. The Regent Mardion had received theprocession in the Queen's name, for Cleopatra had driven into the city,no one knew where.
Charmian entered her apartments with a lighter heart. Anukis opened thedoor to them. She had remained undisturbed, and it was a pleasure toArchibius to give the faithful, clever freedwoman an account of thematter with his own lips. He could have bestowed no richer rewardupon the modest servant, who listened to his words as if they were arevelation. When she disclaimed the thanks with which he concluded,protesting that she was the person under obligation, the expression wassincere. Her keen intellect instantly recognized the aristocrat's mannerof addressing an equal or an inferior; and he who, in her eyes, was thefirst of men, had described the course of events as though she had stoodon the same level. The Queen herself might have been satisfied with thereport.
When she left Charmian's rooms to join the other servants, she toldherself that she was an especially favoured mortal; and when a youngcook teased her about her head being sunk between her shoulders, sheanswered, laughing--"My shoulders have grown so high because I shrugthem so often at the fools who jeer at me and yet are not half so happyand grateful."
Charmian, sorely wearied, had flung herself into an arm-chair, andArchibius took his place opposite to her. They were happy in eachother's society, even when silent; but to-day the hearts of both were sofull that they fared like those who are so worn out by fatigue that theycannot sleep. How much they had to tell each other!--yet it was long ereCharmian broke the silence and returned to the subject of the Queen'swish, describing to her brother Cleopatra's visit to the house whichthe children had built, how kind and cordial she had been; yet, a fewminutes later, incensed by the mere mention of Barine's name, she haddismissed her so ungraciously.
"I do not know what you intend," she said in conclusion, "but,notwithstanding my love for her, I must perhaps decide in favour of whatis most difficult, for--wh
en she learns that it was I who withdrew thedaughter of Leonax from her and the base Alexas--what treatment can Iexpect, especially as Iras no longer gives me the same affection, andshows that she has forgotten my love and care? This will increase, andthe worst of the matter is, that if the Queen begins to favour her, Icannot justly reproach her, for Iras is keener-witted, and has a moreactive brain. Statecraft was always odious to me. Iras, on the contrary,is delighted with the opportunity to speak on subjects connected withthe government of the country, and especially the ceaseless, momentousgame with Rome and the men who guide her destiny."
"That game is lost," Archibius broke in with so much earnestness thatCharmian started, repeating in a low, timid tone:
"Lost?"
"Forever," said Archibius, "unless--
"The Olympians be praised--that there is still a doubt."
"Unless Cleopatra can decide to commit an act which will force her tobe faithless to herself, and destroy her noble image through all futuregenerations."
"How?"
"Whenever you learn it, will be too soon."
"And suppose she should do it, Archibius? You are her most trustedconfidant. She will place in your charge what she loves more than shedoes herself."
"More? You mean, I suppose, the children?"
"The children! Yes, a hundred times yes. She loves them better thanaught else on earth. For them, believe me, she would be ready to go toher death."
"Let us hope so."
"And you--were she to commit the horrible deed--I can only suspect whatit is. But should she descend from the height which she has hithertooccupied--would you still be ready--"
"With me," he interrupted quietly, "what she does or does not do mattersnothing. She is unhappy and will be plunged deeper and deeper intomisery. I know this, and it constrains me to exert my utmost powers inher service. I am hers as the hermit consecrated to Serapis belongsto the god. His every thought must be devoted to him. To the deity whocreated him he dedicates body and soul until the death to which he doomshim. The bonds which unite me to this woman--you know their origin--arenot less indestructible. Whatever she desires whose fulfilment will notforce me to despise myself is granted in advance."
"She will never require such things from the friend of her childhood,"cried Charmian. Then, approaching him with both arms extended joyfully,she exclaimed: "Thus you ought to speak and feel, and therein is theanswer to the question which has agitated my soul since yesterday.Barine's flight, the favour and disfavour of Cleopatra, Iras, mypoor head, which abhors politics, while at this time the Queen needskeen-sighted confidants--"
"By no means," her brother interrupted. "It is for men alone to givecounsel in these matters. Accursed be women's gossip over theirtoilet tables. It has already scattered to the four winds many awell-considered plan of the wisest heads, and an Iras could never bemore fatal to statecraft than just at the present moment, had not Fatealready uttered the final verdict."
"Then hence with these scruples," cried Charmian eagerly; "my doubtsare at an end! As usual, you point out the right path. I had thought ofreturning to the country estate we call Irenia--the abode of peace--orto our beloved little palace at Kanopus, to spend the years which maystill be allotted to me, and return to everything that made my childhoodbeautiful. The philosophers, the flowers in the garden, the poets--eventhe new Roman ones, of whose works Timagenes sent us such charmingspecimens--would enliven the solitude. The child, the daughter ofthe man whose love I renounced, and afterwards perhaps her sons anddaughters, would fill the place of my own. As they would have been dearto Leonax, I, too, would have loved them! This is the guise in which thefuture has appeared to me in many a quiet hour. But shall Charmian--who,when her heart throbbed still more warmly and life lay fair beforeher, laid her first love upon the altar of sacrifice for her royalplayfellow--abandon Cleopatra in misfortune from mere selfish scruples?No, no!--Like you, I too belong--come what may--to the Queen."
She gazed into her brother's face, sure of his approval but, waving hisuplifted hand, he answered gravely: "No, Charmian! What I, a man, canassume, might be fatal to you, a woman. The present is not sweet enoughfor me to embitter it with wormwood from the future. And yet you mustcast one glance into its gloomy domain, in order to understand me. Youcan be silent, and what you now learn will be a secret between us. Onlyone thing"--here he lowered the loud tones of his deep voice--"onlyone thing can save her: the murder of Antony, or an act of shamelesstreachery which would deliver him into Octavianus's power. This is theproposal Timagenes brought."
"This?" she asked in a hollow tone, her grey head drooping.
"This," he repeated firmly. "And if she succumbs to the temptation, shewill be faithless to the love which has coursed through her whole lifeas the Nile flows through the land of her ancestors. Then, Charmian,stay, stay under any circumstances, cling to her more firmly than ever,for then, then, my sister, she will be more wretched--ten, a hundredfold more wretched than if Octavianus deprives her of everything,perhaps even life itself."
"Nor will I leave her, come what may. I will remain at her side untilthe end," cried Charmian eagerly. But Archibius, without noticing theenthusiastic ardor, so unusual to his sister's quiet nature, calmlycontinued: "She won your heart also, and it seems impossible for you todesert her. Many have shared our feelings; and it is no disgrace to anyone. Misfortune is a weapon which cleaves base natures like a sword, yetlike a hammer welds noble ones more closely. To you, therefore, it nowseems doubly difficult to leave her, but you need love. The right tolive and guard yourself from the most pitiable retrogression is yourdue, as much as that of the rare woman on the throne. So long as youare sure of her love, remain with her, and show your devotion in everysituation until the end. But the motives which were drawing you away tobooks, flowers, and children, weigh heavily in the balance, and ifyou lack the anchor of her favour and love, I shall see you perishmiserably. The frost emanating from Cleopatra, if her heart grew coldto you, the pin-pricks with which Iras would assail you, were youdefenceless, would kill you. This must not be, sister; we will guardagainst it Do not interrupt me. The counsel I advise you to followhas been duly weighed. If you see that the Queen still loves you as informer days, cling to her; but should you learn the contrary, bid herfarewell to-morrow. My Irenia is yours--"
"But she does love me, and even should she no longer--"
"The test is at hand. We will leave the decision to her. You shallconfess that you were the culprit who aided Barine to escape her powerto punish."
"Archibius!"
"If you did not, a series of falsehoods must ensue. Try whether thepetty qualities in her nature, which urged her to commit the fate ofLeonax's daughter to unworthy hands, are more powerful than the noblerones. Try whether she is worthy of the self-sacrificing fidelity whichyou 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 seeIras at this late hour. "Admit her," replied Archibius, after hastilyexchanging 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 wemust take counsel with ourselves, and you will find the right path."
"I have already found it," she answered softly with downcast eyes. "Thisvisitor brought a speedy decision. I must not feel ashamed in Iras'spresence."
She had scarcely finished speaking when the Queen's younger confidanteentered. She was excited and, after casting a searching glance aroundthe familiar room, she asked, after a curt greeting:
"No one knows where the Queen has gone. Mardion received the processionin her place. Did she take you into her confidence?"
Charmian answered in the negative, and inquired whether Antony hadarrived, and how she had found him.
"In a pitiable state," was the reply. "I hastened hither to prevent theQueen from visiting him, if possible. She would have received a rebuff.It is horrible." r />
"The disappointment of Paraetonium is added to the other burdens,"observed Archibius.
"A feather compared with the rest," cried Iras indignantly. "What aspectacle! A shrivelled soul, never too large, in the body of a powerfulgiant. Disaster crushes the courage of the descendant of Herakles. Theweakling will drag the Queen's splendid courage with him into the dust."
"We will do our best to prevent it," replied Archibius firmly. "Theimmortals have placed you and Charmian at her side to sustain her, ifher 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 foranger against Charmian."
"Whoever treats my foes so tenderly can doubtless dispense with myaffection. Where is your ward?"
"That you shall learn later," replied Charmian advancing. "But when youdo know, you will have still better reason to doubt my love; yet it wasonly to save one dear to me from misery, certainly not to grieve you,that I stepped between you and Barine. And now let me say--had youwounded me to the quick, and everything dear to the Greek heart calledto me for vengeance--I should impose upon myself whatever constraintmight be necessary to deny the impulse, because this breast contains alove stronger, more powerful, than the fiercest hate. And this love weboth share. Hate me, strive to wound and injure one at whose side youhave hitherto stood like a daughter, but beware of robbing me of thestrength and freedom which I need, to be and to offer to my royalmistress all the assistance in my power. I have just been consulting mybrother about leaving Cleopatra's service."
"Now?" Iras broke in vehemently. "No, no! Not that! It must not be! Shecannot spare you now."
"More easily, perhaps, than you," replied Charmian; "yet in many thingsmy services might be hard to replace."
"Nothing under the sun could do it," cried Iras eagerly. "If, in thesedays of trouble, she should lose you too--"
"Still darker ones are approaching," interrupted Archibius positively."Perhaps you will learn all to-morrow. Whether Charmian yields to herdesire for rest, or continues in the service of the Queen, depends onyou. If you wish her to remain you must not render it too hard for herto do so. We three, my child, are perhaps the only persons at this courtto whom the Queen's happiness is more than their own, and thereforewe should permit no incident, whatever name it may bear, to cloud ourharmony."
Iras threw back her head with angry pride, exclaiming passionately:"Was it I who injured you? I do not know in what respect. But you andCharmian--though you have so long been aware that this heart was closedagainst every love save one--stepped between me and the man for whom Ihave yearned since childhood, and built the bridge which united Dion andBarine. I held the woman I hated in my grasp, and thanked the immortalsfor the boon; but you two--it is not difficult to guess the secret youare still trying to keep from me--you aided her to escape. You haverobbed me of my revenge; you have again placed the singer in the pathwhere she must find the man to whom I have a better and older claim, andwho perhaps may still be considering which of us two will be the bettermistress of his house, if Alexas and his worthy brother do not arrangematters so that we must both content ourselves with thinking tenderly ofa dead man. That is why I believe that I am no longer indebted to you,that Charmian has more than repaid herself for all the kindness she hasever showed me."
With these words she hurried to the door, but paused on the threshold,exclaiming: "This is the state of affairs; yet I am ready to serve theQueen hand in hand with you as before; for you two--as I have said--arenecessary to her. In other respects--I shall follow my own path."