“Speak, Lady.  Do you deny it?” said Jodd.

“I do not deny that this man was blinded by my order in payment of crimes for which he might well have suffered death,” answered Irene.  “But I do deny that I commanded him to be trapped in yonder pit.  If those dead men said so, then they lied.”

“And if the lady Martina says so, what then?” asked Jodd.

“Then she lies also,” answered the Empress sullenly.

“Be it so,” replied Jodd.  “Yet it is strange that, acting on this lie of the lady Martina’s, we found the General Olaf upon the very edge of yonder hole; yes, with not the breadth of a barleycorn between him and death.  Now, General, both parties have been heard and you shall pass sentence.  If you say that yonder woman is to be blinded, this moment she looks her last upon the light.  If you say that she is to die, this moment she bids farewell to life.”

Again I thought a while.  It came into my mind that Irene, who had fallen from power, might rise once more and bring fresh evil upon Heliodore.  Now she was in my hand, but if I opened that hand and let her free——!

Someone moved towards me, and I heard Irene’s voice whispering in my ear.

“Olaf,” she said, “if I sinned against you it was because I loved you.  Would you be avenged upon one who has burned her soul with so much evil because she loved too well?  Oh! if so, you are no longer Olaf.  For Christ’s sake have pity on me, since I am not fit to meet Him.  Give me time to repent.  Nay! hear me out!  Let not those men drag me away as they threaten to do.  I am fallen now, but who knows, I may grow great again; indeed, I think I shall.  Then, Olaf, may my soul shrivel everlastingly in hell if I try to harm you or the Egyptian more—­Jesus be my witness that I ask no lesser doom upon my head.  Keep the men back, Martina, for what I swear to him and the Egyptian I swear to you as well.  Moreover, Olaf, I have great wealth.  You spoke of poverty; it shall be far from you.  Martina knows where my gold is hid, and she still holds my keys.  Let her take it.  I say leave me alone, but one word more.  If ever it is in my power I’ll forget everything and advance you all to great honour.  Your brain is not blinded, Olaf; you can still rule.  I swear, I swear, I swear upon the Holy Blood!  Ah! now drag me away if you will.  I have spoken.”

“Then perchance, Lady, you will allow Olaf to speak, since we, who have much to do, must finish this business quickly, before the Emperor comes with the Armenians,” said Jodd.

“Captain Jodd and his comrades,” I said, “the Empress Irene has been pleased to make certain solemn vows to me which perchance some of you may have overheard.  At least, God heard them, and whether she keeps them or no is a matter between her and the God in Whom we both believe.  Therefore I set these vows aside; they draw me neither one way nor the other.  Now, you have made me judge in my own matter and have promised to abide by my judgment,