“Sagacity!” interrupted the Queen, shrugging her shoulders mournfully.  “You possess a far greater share of what is commonly called by that name.  My fate proves it.  The pliant intellect which the gods bestowed on me would ill sustain the test in this hour of anguish.  But if you really care to learn what mental power Cleopatra once possessed, relieve me of this terrible burden of uncertainty, and grant me a position in life which will permit my paralyzed soul to move freely once more.”

“It depends solely on yourself,” Octavian eagerly responded, “to make your future life, not only free from care, but beautiful.”

“On me?” asked Cleopatra in astonishment.  Our weal and woe are in your hands alone.  I am modest and ask nothing save to know what you intend for our future, what you mean by the lot which you term beautiful.”

“Nothing less,” replied the Caesar quietly, “than what seems to lie nearest to your own heart—­a life of that freedom of soul to which you aspire.”

The breath of the agitated Queen began come more quickly and, no longer able to contr the impatience which overpowered her, she exclaimed, “With the assurance of your favour on your lips, you refuse to discuss the question which interests, me beyond any other—­for which, if any you must have been prepared when you came here—­”

“Reproaches?” asked Octavianus with we feigned surprise.  “Would it not rather be my place to complain?  It is precisely because I am thoroughly sincere in the friendly disposition which you read aright from my words, that some of your measures cannot fail to wound me.  Your treasures were to be committed to the flames.  It would be unfair to expect tokens of friendship from the vanquished; but can you deny that even the bitterest hatred could scarcely succeed in devising anything more hostile?”

“Let the past rest!  Who would not seek in war to diminish the enemy’s booty?” pleaded the Queen in a soothing tone.  But as Octavianus delayed his answer, she continued more eagerly:  “It is said that the ibex in the mountains, when in mortal peril, rushes upon the hunter and hurls him with it down the precipice.  The same impulse is natural to human beings, and praiseworthy, I think, in both.  Forget the past, as I will try to do, I repeat with uplifted hands.  Say that you will permit the sons whom I gave to Antony to ascend the Egyptian throne, not under their mother’s guardianship, but that of Rome, and grant me freedom wherever I may live, and I will gladly transfer to you, down to the veriest trifles, all the property and treasures I possess.”

She clenched her little hand impatiently under the folds of her robe as she spoke; but Octavianus lowered his eyes, saying carelessly:  “In war the victor disposes of the property of the vanquished; but my heart restrains me from applying the universal law to you, who are so far above ordinary mortals.  Your wealth is said to be vast, though the foolish war which Antony, with your aid, so greatly prolonged, devoured vast sums.  In this country squandered gold seems like the grass which, when mowed, springs up anew.”