She was watching the procession with interest, yet somewhat idly, when she caught sight of me, whom, from where she stood, she could scarcely have seen before.  Of a sudden her face grew doubtful and troubled, like to that of one who has just received some hurt.  She saw the ornament about my neck.  She turned pale and had she not gripped the arm of the man beside her, would, I think, have fallen.  Then her eyes caught mine, and Fate had us in its net.

She leaned forward, gazing, gazing, all her soul in those dark eyes, and I, too, gazed and gazed.  The great cathedral vanished with its glittering crowds, the sound of chanting and of feet that marched died from my ears.  In place of these I saw a mighty columned temple and two stone figures, taller than pines, seated on a plain, and through the moonlit silence heard a sweet voice murmuring: 

“Farewell.  For this life, farewell!”

Now we were near to each other, now I was passing her, I who might not stay.  My hand brushed hers, and oh! it was as though I had drunk a cup of wine.  A spirit entered into me and, bending, I whispered in her ear, speaking in the Latin tongue, since Greek, which all knew, I did not dare to use, “Ave post secula!” Greeting after the ages!

I saw her bosom heave; yes, and heard her whisper back: 

“Ave!”

So she knew me also.

CHAPTER VI

HELIODORE

That night there was feasting at the palace, and I, Olaf, now known as Michael, as a convert was one of the chief guests, so that for me there was no escape.  I sat very silent, so silent that the Augusta frowned, though she was too far off to speak to me.  The banquet came to an end at last and before midnight I was free to go, still without word from the Empress, who withdrew herself, as I thought in an ill-humour.

I sought my bed, but in it knew little of sleep.  I had found her for whom during all the long years I had been searching, though I did not understand that I was searching.  After the ages I had found her and she had found me.  Her eyes said it, and, unless I dreamed, her sweet voice said it also.

Who was she?  Doubtless that Heliodore, daughter of Magas, the prince of whom the Bishop Barnabas had spoken to me.  Oh! now I understood what he meant when he spoke of another necklace like to that I wore, and yet would explain nothing.  It lay upon the breast of Heliodore, Heliodore who was such a one as he wished that I might wed.  Well, certainly I wished it too; but, alas! how could I wed, who was in Irene’s power, a toy for her to play with or to break?  And how would it fare with any woman whom it was known that I wished to wed?  I must be secret until she was gone from Constantinople, and in this way or in that I could follow her.  I, who had ever been open-minded, must learn to keep my own counsel.