“Nor will I leave her, come what may.  I will remain at her side until the end,” cried Charmian eagerly.  But Archibius, without noticing the enthusiastic ardor, so unusual to his sister’s quiet nature, calmly continued:  “She won your heart also, and it seems impossible for you to desert her.  Many have shared our feelings; and it is no disgrace to any one.  Misfortune is a weapon which cleaves base natures like a sword, yet like a hammer welds noble ones more closely.  To you, therefore, it now seems doubly difficult to leave her, but you need love.  The right to live and guard yourself from the most pitiable retrogression is your due, as much as that of the rare woman on the throne.  So long as you are sure of her love, remain with her, and show your devotion in every situation until the end.  But the motives which were drawing you away to books, flowers, and children, weigh heavily in the balance, and if you lack the anchor of her favour and love, I shall see you perish miserably.  The frost emanating from Cleopatra, if her heart grew cold to you, the pin-pricks with which Iras would assail you, were you defenceless, would kill you.  This must not be, sister; we will guard against it Do not interrupt me.  The counsel I advise you to follow has been duly weighed.  If you see that the Queen still loves you as in former days, cling to her; but should you learn the contrary, bid her farewell 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 shall confess that you were the culprit who aided Barine to escape her power to punish.”

“Archibius!”

“If you did not, a series of falsehoods must ensue.  Try whether the petty qualities in her nature, which urged her to commit the fate of Leonax’s daughter to unworthy hands, are more powerful than the nobler ones.  Try whether she is worthy of the self-sacrificing fidelity which you 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 see Iras at this late hour.  “Admit her,” replied Archibius, after hastily exchanging 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 we must take counsel with ourselves, and you will find the right path.”

“I have already found it,” she answered softly with downcast eyes.  “This visitor brought a speedy decision.  I must not feel ashamed in Iras’s presence.”

She had scarcely finished speaking when the Queen’s younger confidante entered.  She was excited and, after casting a searching glance around the familiar room, she asked, after a curt greeting: 

“No one knows where the Queen has gone.  Mardion received the procession in her place.  Did she take you into her confidence?”