So strong is the working of the mind that already she had begun to feel as though poison were numbing her heart and clouding her brain, and was sure that soon she would have fallen into the sleep which Harun had warned her would end in death.

“Had he been a true physician, he would have known that this might be so, and that such grim jests are very dangerous,” I said.  Then I added, for I did not wish to dwell longer upon a scene the memory of which was dreadful to me, although it had ended well,

“Tell us, Martina, is it true that those rich possessions of yours in Alexandria which the Caliph gave you are sold?”

“Yes, Olaf,” she answered, “to a company of Greek merchants, and not so ill.  The contract was signed but yesterday.  It was my wish that we should leave Lesbos and go to live in this place, as we might have done with safety under Harun’s signed firman, but Jodd here refused.”

“Aye,” said Jodd in his big voice.  “Am I one to dwell among Moslems and make money out of trade and gardens in however fine a house?  Why, I should have been fighting with these prophet-worshippers within a month, and had my throat cut.  Moreover, how could I bear to be separated from my general, and whatever she may think, how could Martina bear to lose sight of her god-son?  Why, Olaf, I tell you that, although you are married and she is married, she still thinks twice as much of you as she does of me.  Oh! blind man’s dog once, blind man’s dog always!  Look not so angry, Martina.  Why, I wonder, does the truth always make women angry?” and he burst into one of his great laughs.

At this moment Heliodore rose from the table and walked to the open window-place to speak to our children and Martina’s, a merry company who were playing together in the garden.  Here she stood a while studying the beautiful view of the bay beneath; then of a sudden called out,

“A ship!  A ship sailing into the harbour, and it flies the Imperial standard.”

“Then pray God she brings no bad news,” I said, who feared that Imperial standard and felt that we had all been somewhat too happy of late.  Moreover, I knew that no royal ship was looked for from Byzantium at this time, and dreaded lest this one should bear letters from the new Emperor dismissing me from my office, or even worse tidings.

“What bad news should she bring?” growled Jodd.  “Oh!  I know what is in your mind, General, but if this upstart Nicephorus is wise, he’ll leave you alone, since Lesbos does not want another governor, and will tell him so if there be need.  Yes, it will take more than one ship of war, aye, and more than three, to set up another governor in Lesbos.  Nay, rebuke me not, General, for I at least have sworn no oath of homage to this Nicephorus, nor have the other Northmen or the men of Lesbos.”

“You are like a watchdog, Jodd, barking at you know not what, just because it is strange.  Go now, I pray you, to the quay, and bring back to us news of this ship.”