CHAPTER IV
PERSEPHONE
It was not Tristan's other self, conjured by the Persian from themystic realms of night which Theodora had seen outlined against thedark curtain that screened the entrance into the Oriental's laboratory.The object of her craving had, indeed, been present in the body,seeking in the storm that suddenly lashed the city the shelter of anapparently deserted abode. Thus he had unwittingly strayed into thedomain of the astrologer, finding the door of his abode standing ajarafter Theodora had entered.
A superstition which was part and parcel of the Persian's character,caused the latter to regard the undesired presence in the same lightas did Theodora, the more so as, for the time, it served his purpose,although, when the woman had departed, he was puzzled no little overa phenomenon which his skill could not have conjured up. Tristan hadprecipitately retreated, so soon as the woman's outcry had reached hisear, convinced that he had witnessed some unholy incantation which mustcounteract the effect of the penances he had just concluded and duringthe return from which the tempest had overtaken him.
Thoroughly drenched he arrived at the Inn of the Golden Shield andretired forthwith, wondering at the strange scene which he hadwitnessed and its import.
Tristan arose early on the following day.
On the morrow he was to enter the service of the Senator of Rome, whohad departed on his pilgrimage to the shrines of Monte Gargano.
Tristan resolved to make the most of his time, visiting the sanctuariesand fitly preparing himself to be worthy of the trust which Alberic hadreposed in him. Yet his thoughts were not altogether of the morrow.Once again memory wandered back to the sunny days in Provence, to therose garden of Avalon, and to one who perchance was walking alone inthe garden, along the flower-bordered paths where he had found and losthis greatest happiness.--
Persephone meanwhile had not been idle. It pleased her for once topropitiate her mistress, and through her own spies she had long beeninformed of Tristan's movements, being not altogether averse tostarting an intrigue on her own account, if her mistress should failsufficiently to impress the predestined victim. Her own beauty couldachieve no less.
Drawing a veil about her head and shoulders so as effectually toconceal her features, she proceeded to thread her way through theintricate labyrinth of Roman thoroughfares. When she reached herdestination she concealed herself in a convenient lurking place fromwhich she took care not to emerge till she had learned all she wishedfrom one who had dogged Tristan's footsteps all these weary days.
"What do you want with me?" asked the latter somewhat disturbed by hersudden appearance, as he came out of the little temple church of SanStefano in Rotondo on the brow of the Caelian Hill.
Persephone had raised her veil and in doing so had taken care to revealher beautiful white arms.
"I am unwelcome doubtless," she replied, after a swift glance hadconvinced her that there was no one near to witness their meeting."Nevertheless you must come with me--whether you will or no. We Romanstake no denial. We are not like your pale, frozen women of the North."
Subscribing readily to this opinion, Tristan felt indignant,nevertheless, at her self-assurance.
"I have neither time nor inclination to attend upon your fancies," hesaid curtly, trying to pass her. But she barred his passage.
"As for your inclination to follow me," Persephone laughed--"that is amatter for you to decide, if you intend to prosper in your new station."
She paused a moment, with a swift side glance at the man. Persephonehad not miscalculated the effect of her speech, for Tristan had startedvisibly at her words and the knowledge they implied.
"As for your time," Persephone continued sardonically, "that is anothermatter. No doubt there are still a few sanctuaries to visit," she saidsuggestively, with tantalizing slowness and a tinge of contempt inher tones that was far from assumed. "Though I am puzzled to know whyone of your good looks and courage should creep like a criminal fromshrine to shrine, when hot life pulsates all about us. Are your sins sogrievous indeed?"
She could see that the thrust had pierced home.
"This is a matter you do not understand," he said, piqued at herpersistence. "Perchance my sins are grievous indeed."
"Ah! So much the better," Persephone laughed, showing her white teethand approaching a step closer. "The world loves a sinner. What itdislikes is the long-faced repentant transgressor. You are a man afterall--it is time enough to become a saint when you can no longer enjoy.Come!"
And the white arm stole forth and a white hand took hold of his mantle.
Every word of the Circassian seemed to sting Tristan like a wasp. Hiswhole frame quivered with anger at her taunts, but he scorned to showit, and putting a strong constraint upon his feelings he only askedquietly:
"What would you with me? Surely it was not to tell me this that youhave tracked me hither."
Persephone thought she had now brought the metal to a sufficientlyhigh temperature for fusion. She proceeded to mould it accordingly.Nevertheless she was determined to gain some advantage for herself inexecuting her mistress' behest.
"I tracked you here," she said slowly, "because I wanted you! I wantedyou, because it is in my power to render you a great service. Listen,my lord,--you must come with me! It is not every man in Rome who wouldrequire so much coaxing to follow a good-looking woman--"
She looked very tempting as she spoke, but her physical charms wereindeed sadly wasted on the pre-occupied man before her, and if sheexpected to win from him any overt act of admiration or encouragement,she was to be woefully disappointed.
"I cannot follow you," he said. "My way lies in another direction.Besides--you have said it yourself--I am now in the service of another."
"That is the very reason," she interposed. "Have you ever stopped toconsider the thousand and one pitfalls which your unwary feet willencounter when you--a stranger--unknown--hated perchance--attempt towield the authority entrusted to you? What do you know of Rome that youshould hope to succeed when he, who set you in this hazardous place,cannot quell the disturbances that break out between the factionsperiodically?"
"And why should you be disposed to confer upon me such a favor?"Tristan asked with instinctive caution. "I am a stranger to you. Whathave we in common?"
Persephone laughed.
"Perchance I am in love with you myself--ever since that night when youwould not enter the forbidden gates. Perchance you may be able to serveme in turn--some day. How cold you are! Like the frozen North! Come!Waste no more time, if you would not regret it forevermore."--
There was something compelling in her words that upset Tristan'sresolution.
Still, he wavered.
"You have seen my mistress," Persephone resumed, "the fairest womanand the most powerful in Rome--a near kinswoman, too, of your newmaster--the Senator."
The words startled Tristan.
"It needs but a word from her to make you what she pleases," shecontinued, as they delved into the now darkening streets. "She isheadstrong and imperious and does not brook resistance to her will."
Tristan remembered certain words Alberic had spoken to him at theirfinal parting. It behooved him to be on his guard, yet without makingof Theodora an open enemy. "Be wary and circumspect," had been theSenator's parting words.
"Did the Lady Theodora send you for me?" he asked, with some anxiety inhis tone. "And how did you know where to find me in a city like this?"
"I know a great many things--and so does my mistress," Persephone madesmiling reply. "But she does not choose every one to be as wise as sheis. I will answer both your questions though, if you will answer oneof mine in return. The Lady Theodora did not mention you by name,"Persephone prevaricated, "yet I do not think there is another man inRome who would serve her as would you.--And now tell me in turn.--Deemyou not, she is very beautiful?"
"The Lady Theodora is very beautiful," Tristan replied with ahesitation that remained not unremarked. "Yet, what is there in commonbetween two strangers from the
farthest extremities of the earth?"
"What is there in common?" Persephone smiled. "You will know ere anhour has sped. But, if you would take counsel from one who knows, youwill do wisely to ponder twice before you choose--your master. Silencenow! Step softly, but follow close behind me! It is very dark under thetrees."
They had arrived on Mount Aventine. Before them, in the dusk, toweredthe great palace of Theodora.
After cautioning him, Persephone led Tristan through a narrow door in awall and they emerged in a garden. They were now in a fragrant almondgrove where the branches of the trees effectually excluded the rays ofthe rising moon, making it hardly possible to distinguish Persephone'stall and lithe form.
Presently they emerged upon a smooth and level lawn, shut in by ablack group of cedars, through the lower branches of which peeped thecrescent moon and, turning the corner of a colonnade, they enteredanother door which opened to Persephone's touch and admitted them intoa long dark passage with a lamp at the farther end.
"Stay here, while I fetch a light," Persephone whispered to Tristanand, gliding away, she presently returned, to conduct him through adark corridor into another passage, where she stopped abruptly and,raising some silken hangings, directed him to enter.
"Wait here. I will announce you."--