If
CLEOPATRA.
Being an Account of the Fall and
Venceance of Harmachis, the
Royal Egyptian,
A8 SET FORTH BY HIS OWN HAND.
By H. Rider Haggard,
Author of Klnn Solomon's Mln.
v ,"She," Allan Quntnrrnatn,"
Etc., Etc., Etc.
CHAPTER XXII.
OT TUB FEAST OP CtXOl'ATIIA. OF TITr MEI.T-
iu mis i-KARLj OF Till: SAYtNO OP It VII.
NACHIS;
AND
Cl.fcOPATHA'S VOWS OF
LOVE.
N THE third night
onco more wns tho
feast prepared in tho
hall of tho great
house that had boon
sctaatdo to tho uso
mm:
of Cleopatra, and on
r this night its splendor
was greater even than
(conches) that were sot
about tho tablo wore orn
bossed with gold, and
- - inosoot Ulcopatra and An
SJVony woro of gold Bct with jewels. Tho
dishes also wore ad of gold net with jewels,
tho walls were hung with purple cloths
sewn with gold, and on tho lloor wero
strewn fresh roses anklo deep, covered
with a net of gold, that as tho slaves trod
them scut up taclr perfume. Onco again
was I bid to stand with Chnrmion and Iras
arrl TMprirn Unlitml lha imiiuli if t ?liiin t rn
7 0
8 tiB
$jtmd, liko a slave, from time to time call out
,mu uuurs as uiey now. vnu tuero ueing
no help, wild at heart I wont; but this I
swore- it should bo for the last time, for I
could not bear that shame. For though I
would nt, yet bcliovo what Charmiou told
,e tnui iii-opatru was uuunt iu ueeuinu
tho love of Antony yet could I no moro en
dure this ignominy and torture. For from
Cleopatra now I had no words save such
words as a Queen speaks to her slave, and
methinks it gave her dark heart pleasure to
torment me.
Thus it camo to jiass that I, tho
Pharaoh, crowned of Khem, stood among
eunuchs and waiting women behind tho
couch of Egjpt's Queen whilo tho feast
went merrily and tho wine-cup passed.
And over Antony sat, ids eyes lixed upon
tho faco of Cleopatra, who from tlina to
timo let her deep glance lose itself m his,
and then for u little whilo their talk died
away. For ho told her tales of war and
deeds that ho had dont ay, and love-jests
such us are not mc 't for tho ears of
women. Hut nt naught took sho offense,
rather, falling Into his humor, would sho
. cap his stories with others of a liner wit,
but not less shameless.
At length, tho rich meal being finished,
Antony Kazed at tho splendor round him.
"Tell me, then, most lovely Egypt!" ho
said, "nro tho sands of Nile compact of gold,
that thou canst, night by night, thus squan
der tho ransom of a King upon a single
feast? Whence comes this untold wealth!"
I bethought me of the tomb of tho divliw
, llenka-ra, whoso holy treasuro was thu
wickedly wasted, nnd looked up, so that
; Cleopatra's oyes caught mine; but, reading
' my thoughts, sho frowned heavily.
"Why, noble Antony," sho said, "surety
It is naught 1 In Egypt wo havo our secrets,
and know whence to conjure riches at our
need. Bay, what is tho valuo of this golden
service, and of tho meats and drinks tht.t
havo been set boforo us!"
"Maybe, a thousand scstertia "
"Thou hast, understated it by half, noblo
Antony 1 Hut, such as it is, I givo it thoo
and thoso with theo as a freo token of my
friendship. And moro will I show theo
now. I, myself, will eat and drink ten thou
sand sestertia at a dru. ght."
"That can not be, fair Egypt I"
Sho laughed, and bade a slave bring hor
vinogar in a glass. When it was brought
she set it beforo hor and laughed again,
whilo Antony, rising from his couch, drew
near and sat himself at her side, nnd all tho
company leant forward to seo what sho
would do. Aud this sho did : From Iter cars
she took ono of thoso great pearls, which
4ast of all had been drawn from tho body of
tho divine Pharaoh; and boforo auy could
guess her purpose lo- it fall into tho vino
gar. Then camo silence, tho sileuco of won
dor, aud slowly tho peerless poarl melted in
tho ncid. When it was molted sho took tho
glass and shook it, then drank tho vinegar
to tho last drop.
"More vinegar, slave 1" sho cried, "ray
meal is but half finished!" and sho drew
.forth tho second pearl.
"By Bacchus, no! thou shalt not!" cried
Antony, snatching at hor hands; "I havo
seen enough. " And at that moment, moved
thoroto by I know not what, I called aloud:
"Tho hour falls -the hour of the cominj of
the eurse of Mcnka-ra!"
An ashy whiteness grow upon Cleopatra's
v face and furiously sho turned upou me,
N while nil tho company gazed wondering, not
knowing what tho words might mean.
"Thou ill-omened slave!" sho cried.
"fc5peak thus once moro and thou shalt bo
scourged with rods! ay, scourged liko an
evil-doer that 1 promise theo, Hurmachis!"
"What moans tho knave of an astrol
oger?" nsked Antony. "Spoak, sirrah I
and make oloar thy meaning, for thoso who
deal in curses must warrant their wares."
"I am a sorvunt of tho Gods, noblo An
tony. That wldch tho Gods put in ray miiid
that must I say; nor can I read their mean
lng," I answered humbly.
"Oh ! oh I thou sorvost tho Gods, dost thou,
, itliou manv-colored mystoryl" (This ho
I said having roforenco to my splondid
robes.) "Woll, I sorvo tho Goddesses,
which is a softer cult. And there's this
between us : that though what thoy put lu
my mind 1 say, neither can I read thoir
meaning," and ho glauced at Clooputra as
ono who questions.
"Lot tho knavo bo," sho said Impatlontly,
"to- morrow we'll bo rid of him. Birrab, be
Vzonol" I bowed and went; and, aa I wont, I heard
Antony say: "Well, a knave ho may bo, for
that till men are, but this for thy astrologer
he hath a royal air and tho oyo of a king ay,
and wit In it."
Without tho door I paused, not knowing
what to do, for I was bowildorcd with mis
ery; and, as 1 stood, somo ono touched me
on tho hand. I glanced up It was Char
mlon, who, In the confusion of tho rising
of tho guests, had slipped away and fol
lowed mo.
For in troublo, Charmlon was ever at my
sldo.
'Follow mo," she whispered; "thou art In
danger."
I tvned and followed her. Why should
Inotf
"Whither go wol" I asked, at length.
"To my chamber," she said. "Fear not,
we ladles of Cleopatra's Gsurt have small
good fame to lose. It any one by chanco
should see us, they'll think that 'tis a love
.tryst, and such are all the fashion."
I followed andj. presently, skirting the
crowd, we came, unseon, to a littlo sldo en
trance that led to a stnir up which wo
passed. Tho stair ended in a passsge; we
turned down it till wo found a door on tho
left hand. Silently Charmlon entered, and
I followed her into a dark chamber. Ileitis
In sho barred tho door, and, kindling tinde
to a tlamc, lit a hanging lamp. As the light
grew strong l gazed around. Tho chamix!"
was not largo and had but one casement
closely shuttcrod. For tho rest, it was sim
ply furnished, having whito walls, somo
chests for garments, an ancient chair, what
I took to bo a tiring table, whereon wcr
combs, perfumes and all tho frippery that
pertains to woman, aud n whito bod with A
broidered coverlid, over which was hung a
gnat gauze
"lie seated, Harmachis," sho said, point
ing to tho chair.
I took tho chair, and Chnrmion, throwing
buck tho gnat gauzo, bat herself upon the
bed before mc.
"Knowest thou what I heard Cleopatra
say as thou didst leavo tho banqueting
hall I" she asked presently.
"Nay, 1 know not."
"Sho gazed afier theo, and, as wect
over to her to do somo service, sho mur
mured to herself: 'By Serapis, I will make
an end I No longer will I wait; to-morrow
ho shall bo strangled I'"
"So1" lsaid; "it may bo; though, after
all that has been, senrco can I behevo that
sho will murder me."
"Why canst thou not believe it, O thou
most foolish of men 1 IVist forgot how nigh
thou was to death there in tho Alabaster
Hall I Who saved thee then from tho knives
of tho eunuchs! Was It Cleopatra! Or
was it I and Brennus! Stay, I will teli
theo. Thou canst not yet beliovo It, because
in thy folly thou dost no!, think it possible
that tho woman who has but lately been ae
n wife to theo can now in so short ti time
doom theo to bo b; 'ic!y done to death Nuv.
uiuwor not I kuov all; aud this 1 tell liter
thnu hast not measured tho depth cf
Cleopatra's portldy, nor canst thou dream
tho blackness of her wicked heart. Sho had
mirely slain theo in Alexandria had sho not
icarod that thy slaughter, being noised
abroad, might bring troublo to her. There
fore has sho brought theo hero to kill thoo
secretly. For what moro canst thou give
her i sho has thy heart's love, nnd is
wearied of thy strength and beauty. Sho
1ms robbed theo of thy Hoynl birthright and
brought thee, a King, to stand amidst her
waiting women behind her at her feasts;
sho has won from theo tho groat secret of
tho holy treasuro! "
"Ah, thou know est that?"
"Yea, I know nil ; and to-night thou secat
how tho wealth stored against tho need of
Khem is being squandered to llll up tho
wanton luxury of Kheiu's Macedonian
Queen 1 Thou scest how sho hath kept hor
oath to wed theo honorably 1 Harmachis
ntlength thine oyes aro open to tho truth I"
"Ay, I seo too well; sho sworo sho loved
me, nnd, fool that I was, I did believe hor I"
"Sho sworo sho loved theo!" answered
ChaKtnion. liftimr hor dark-oves: "now will
i siiow tneo now sue coth lovo tnee. iviiow
cst thou what was this house! It was a
priest's college; and, us thou wottost, Har
machis, priests havo their ways. Tills lit
tlo chamber aforotimo was tho chamber of
tho Head Priest, and tho chamber that is
boyond and bolow was tho gathering room
of tho other priests. All this tho old slavo
who keops tho placo told mo, nnd also sho
revealed what I shall show thee. Now.
Harmachis, be silent as tho dead and fol
low mo!"
Sho blow out tho lamp, and by tho littlo
light that crept through tho shattered ease
ment led mo by tho hand to tho far cornor
of tho room. Hero sho pressed upon tho
wall, nnd a door opened in its thickness.
Wo entered, und sho closed tho spring.
Now wo woro in a littlo chamber, somo five
cubits in longth by four in breadth; for n
faint light struggled into tho closet, and
also tho sound of voices, whence 1 knew
not. Loosing my hand, sho crept to tho
end of tho place, and lookod steadfastly at
tho wall; tnen crept back, and, whispering
"silence" led mo forward with hor. Then 1
saw that thero woro eyeholes in tho wall,
which pierced it, and woro hidden on tho
farther sido by carved work in stono. I
looked through tho holo that was in front of
mo, nnd this I saw. Six cubits below was
tho lovel of tho lloor of another chamber,
lit with fragrant loffips, and most richly
furnished. It was tho sleeping placo of
Cleopatra, and there, within ton cubits of
whero wo stood, sat Cleopatra on a gilded
couch, nnd by hor sido sat Antony.
"Tell mo," Cleopatra murmured for so
was this placo built that every word spokou
in tho room below came to tho cars of tho
listener abovo "tell mo, noblo Antony,
wast pleased with my poor festival!"
"Ay," ho answered in his deep soldier's
voico; "ay, Egypt, I havo mado feasts, and
been bidden to feasts, but never saw I
aught liko thino; and this I tell thoo, though
I am rough of tonguo and unskilled in pret
ty sayliiL's such as women lovo, thou wast
tho richest sight of all that splendid board.
Tho red wine was not so red as thy beau
teous cheek, tho roses smelt not so sweotns
tho odor of thy hair, aud no sapphire thero
with its changing light was so lovely as thy
eyes of ocoau bluo."
"Whatl praiso from Antony? Sweot
words from tho lips of him whoso writings
aro so harsh! Why, 'tis praiso, indeed !"
"Ay," ho wont on, " 'twas a royal feast,
though I grieved that thou didst wasto that
groat poarl; and what meant that hour
calling astrologer of thino. witli his Ill
omened talk of tho curso of Menka-ra!"
A shadow lied ncross her glowing faco.
"I know not; ho was lately wounded in a
brawl and mothlnks tho blow has crazed
him."
"Ho seemed not crazed, and thoro was
that about his volco which doth ring in my
ears liko somo oraclo of fato. So wildly,
too, ho looked upon tneo, Egypt, with those
plorclng oyes of his, liko ono who loved nnd
yet hated through tho lovo."
" 'Tis a strange mail, I tell thee, noblo
Antony, and a learned. Myself, at times, I
almost fear him, for deeply is lo versed in
tho ancient arts of Egypt. Knowest thou
that tho man is of royal blood, and onco ho
plotted to slay mo! But I won him over,
and slow him not, for ho had tho key to se
crets that I fain would learn; nnd, Indeed,
I lovo his wisdom, and to listen to his deep
talk of all hidden things."
"By Bacchus, but I grow jealous of tho
knavo! And now, Egypt!"
"And now I have suefced his knowlcdgo
dry und havo no moro cause to fear him.
Didst thou not seo that those three nights
I havo mado hlra stuud a slavo amid my
slaves, and call aloud tho hours as thoy lied
In festival! No captivo king marching in thy
Itoman triumphs can havo suffered keener
pangs than that proud Egyptian Princo as
he stood and shamed boblnd my couch."
Hero Charmlon laid her hand on mlno
and pressed it, as though in tenderness.
"Well, ho shall trouble us no moro with
his words of evil omen," Cleopatra went on
lowlv: "to-morrow morn he dies dies
swiftly and In secret, leaving no trace of
what his fate hath been. On this is my mind
llxed J of a truth, noblo Antony, it Is llxed.
Even as I speak the fear of this man grows
and gathors In my breast. Half am I minded
to givo tho word even now, for till he be
dead I breathe not freely," and she made
as though to rise.
"Let it be till morning," he said, catcblnir
her by the hand; "the soldiers drink, and
the deed will bo. llUonfi. 'Tis Elt&.tootI
lovo not to think of men slaughtered in
their sleep."
"In tho morning, perchance, may the
hawk have flown," sho answered, ponder
ing. "Ho hath keen ears, this Harmacnis,
and can summon things that nro not of the
earth to aid him. Perchance even now ho
hears me in tho spirit; for, of a truth, 1
seem to feel his presence breathing round
me. I could tell thee but no, lot him bo I
Noblo Antony, bo my tiring woman nhd
looso mo this crown of gold ; it chafes my i
brow. Bo gentle, hurt mo not so."
Ho lifted tho urrcus crown from hor
brows, and sho shook looso hor heavy '
weight of hair that fell about her liko u '
garment.
"Tako thf crown, Uoyal Egypt," ho said,
speaking low, "tako It from my hand; 1
uiil n j; tob thee of it, but rather sot it more
lirmiy on that uenuteous brow."
"What means my Lord!" sho nsked,
smiling and looking into his eyes.
"Winn mean 11 Why. then, this; hither
thou earnest at my bidding, to mnko i.n- ,
iwer to tho charges laid against theo as to
mutters politic. And knowest thou, Hgypt, i
that hmlst thou been other than thou art
thou ha.lst not gono back to Queen it on
tho Nile; for of tins I inn sure, tho charges
against theo nre true, In fact. But being
, what thou art and look, thou! never did
Nature servo n woman hotter! I forgive ,
theo nil. E on for tho sake of thy grace
i and beauty 1 forgive thoo that which hath i
, not boon forgiven to virtue, or to patriot
ism, or to ttio dignity of age I See, now, how
good a thing is woman's wit and loveliness,
j that can make Kings forget their duty and '
cozen e'en blindfolded Justice to peep oro
she lifts her swoi d 1 Tnko back thy crown, !
O I!.:ypi ! my cure now it is that, though ft ,
' bo heavy, it shiil not chafe thee."
"Itoyul words uro those, most noble
, Autony,'" slio nind'J answer; "gracious nnd
generous ;va, ouch aa bct tho Con ,
i j
I qurrsrof tho world. Art.; toucnlug rn.vmls
I deeds in tho past if misdeeds there have
I been this I say, and this alone, then 1
know not Antony. Fcr, knowing Antony,
who could sin against hiui! What woman 1
could lift a sword against ono who must be
to all women as a God ono who, seen and 1
known, draws after him tho wholo ul-
legianco of tho heart, as tho sun draws
.'lowers I And what moro can I say and not
oros tho bounds of woman's modesty!
Why, only this -sot that crown upon my '
brow, great Antony, nnd I will tako it us a !
gift from thee, by tho giving mado doubly
dear, and to thy uses will I guard it Thero 1
now am I thy vassal Queen, nnd through 1
mo all old Egypt that I rulo doth homage 1
unto Antony tho Triumvir, who shall be
Antonv tho Emperor and Khom's Imperial I
Lord."
rtiut ne, navinis set mo crown upon un
locks, stood gazing on her, grown passion
ate in tho warm breath of nor living beauty,
till at length ho caught hor by both hands,
aud, drawing hor to him, kissed hor thrico,
saying:
'Cleopatra, I lovo theo, Sweet! I lovo
theo us ne'er 1 loved boloro!"
Sho drew back from his embrace, smiling
eoflly; and as sho did so tho golden cirt'lut
of tho sacred snakes fell, being but loosely
set upon her brow, aud rolled away into tho
darkness beyond tho ring of light.
Even in tho bitter anguish of my heart I
saw tho omen and knew its ovil Import. But
theso twain took no note.
"Thou lovest rao!" she said most sweotly;
"how know I that thou lovest mo? Per
chanco 'tis Fulvia whom thou lovest Ful
vla, thy wedded wife!"
"Nay, 'tis not Fulvia; 'tis thee, Cleopatra,
and theo alono. Many womon havo looked
favorably upon mo from my boyhood up,
but to never a ono havo I known such do
t'ro U3 to theo, O thou Wrondor of ttio
World, liko unto whom no woman over
was! Canst thou lovo mo, Cleopatra, und
to mo bo truo not for my placo and power,
not for that which I can givo or can with
hold, not for ttio stern musioof my logions'
tramp, or for tho light tnat Hows from my
bright star of fortune; but for mysolf, for
tho sako of Antony, thn rough captain,
grown old in camps? Ay, for tho sake of
Antony tho rovelor, tho frail, tho untlxed
of purpose, but who novor yet did desort n
friend, or rob a poor man, or tako an cnomy
unawares ? Say, canst thou lovo me, Egypt?
for if thou canst, why, I tun moro happy
than though to-night I sat crowned in tho
Capitol lit Homo ubsoluto Monarch of tho
World!"
And ovor ns ho spoko sho gazed on him
with wonderful cyos, und In them shono a
light of truth aud honesty such as was
slrango to me.
"Thou speakest plainly," sho said, "and
sweet aro thy words unto mino ears
sweet would thoy bo oven woro things
otherwiso than thoy aro, for what woman
would not lovo to seo tho world's master at
her feet! But tilings being as thoy aro,
why, Antony, what can bo so swoot as thy
sweot words! Tho smooth harbor of his
rest to tho storm-tossed marlnor surely
that is sweet ! Tho dream of hoavon's bliss
that cheers tho poor ascotlo priost on his
path of sacrifice surely that is sweot I 'I ho
sight of Dawn, tho rosy-flngored, coming in
his proiniso to glad tho watching Eurtli
surely that Is sweet! But, all I not ono of
these, nor nil dear, delightful things that
aro, can match tho hot.ey-swoottics9 of thy
words to me, O Antony I For thou knowest
not nevor canst thou know how dreur
hath been my life and omoty, blnco thus it
is ordained that in lovo only can womau
lose hor solitude! und 1 havo never loved
never might I lovo till this happy night I
Ay, tako mo in thy arms, and lot us swear a
great oath of lovo an oath thai, may not bo
broken whilo life is in us! Behold! Antony!
now und for ovor do I vow most strict
fidelity utUothcoI Now and forover Bin I
thine, and thino ulono I"
Then Charmlon took mo by tho hand and
drew mothenco.
"Hast soon enough?" she asked, when
onco moro wo woro within tho cbatnbor aud
tho lamp was lit.
"Yea," I unswered; "my eyes ure
opened."
CHAPTER XXIII.
THK PLAN OF CIIA1UIIO.VJ CONFES3ION OI
CIIAIIMIOS, ANIl ANSWEIl OF 11 AIISI ACIIIS.
JR somo whilo I sat
with bowed head, and
the last bitterness of
shamo sank Into my
soul. This, then, was
tho end! For this I
had betrayed myoaths;
for this I hud told tho
secret of tho Pyramid ,
for this I had lost my
Crown, my honor, and,
porchance, my hope of
Heaven I Could thorc
bo unother man in the wldo
world so stoeped In sorrow as I was that
nlghtl Surely not ono I Whore should I
turn I What could I do? And even through
tho tempest of my torn heart tho bitter
volco of Joalousy called aloud. Fori loved
this woman, to whom I had given all; and
she at this moment sho was Ah! I could
not bear to think of it; and in my uttor
agony my heart bunt forth in a river of
tears such as are terrible to weep I
Then Charmlon drew near to mo, and I
aw that she, too, was weeping.
"Weep not, Harmachis I" sho sobbed,
kneeling at my side. "I oan not endure to
see tho e weep. Oh I why wouldstthou not be
ivanicdl Then hast thjvj. boen, creal ftpd
happy, nnd not so now. Listen, Harmachis I
Thou didst hear what that f also and tigerish
woman said -to-morrow she hands theo
over to tho murderers!"
"It is well," 1 gasped.
"Nay, It Is not well. Harmachis, give her
not this last triumph over theo. Thou hast
lost nil nave life; but whilo lifo romains
hope remains also, and with hopo tho chance
of vengeance I"
"Ahl"I said, starting from my seat, "I
had not thougnt of that. Ay, the chauco of
vengeance! It would bo sweet to be
avenged!"
"It would bo sweot, Harmachis, nnd yet
this Vengeanco is an arrow that i.i falling
oft pierces him who shot it. Myself-1
know it." and sho sighed. "But n trueo to
talk nnd grief. Titno will thero bo for us
twain to grieve, if not to talk, in all the
heavy coming years. Thou must tly bo
foro tho dawning of tho light must thou lly.
Hero is a plan. To-morrow, cro the dawn,
a galley that but yesterday camo from
Alexandria bearing fruit and" stores sails
thither once again, whereof the Captain is
known to mo, but to theo he is not known.
Now, I will llnd theo tho garb of a Syrian
merchant, and cloak theo as I know how,
and furnish tneo with u letter to the Cap
tain of the galley. Ho shall givo theo pass
ngo to Alexandria, for to him thou wilt
seem but as a merchant going on tho busi
ness of thy trade. 'Tis Brcuiius wlio is
Cnptniu of tlio Guard to-night, nnd Brennus
is n friend to mo and thee. Perchance ho
will guess somewhat; or, perchance, ho wi'l
not guess; nt tho least, tho Syrian merchant
shall safely pass tho Hues. What sayest ,
thou!"
"It is woll," I answered wearily; "littlo
do I reck tho Issue."
"Host thou then here, Harmachis, whilo 1
make theso matters ready; and, Harma
chis, grlovo uot overmuch; there uro others
tvho should gri'svo more heavily than
thou." And sho went, leaving mo aloue
with mino ngony that ront mo liko n tort-uro-bed.
Methinks, had It not been for
thatliercodeslioof vongcatico which from
timo to timo Hashed across my tormented
mind ns tho quick lightning o'er a midnight
sea, my reason had left 1110 In that dark
hour. At length I heard her footstep nt
tho door, nnd sho entered, breathing henv
lly, for in hor nrms sho boro a suck of cloth- .
Inu. i
"All Is woll," sho said; "hero Is tho garb
with spare linen, und writing tablets, and i
all things needful. 1 havo seen Brennus
also, and told hlra that a Syrian merchant
would uass tho cuard an bvir .before tha
dawn. Anil, though no mitavproton&u oi
sloop, mothlnks lie understood, for ho an
swered, yawning, that If they but had tho
pass word, 'Antony,' fifty Syrian merchants
might ro through about their lawful busi
ness. And hero is tho letter to tho Cap
tain thou canst not mistake tho galley,
for stic is moored along tho right a small
galley, painted black, us thou dost enter on
tho great quay, und, moreover, tho sailors
make ready for sailing. Now will 1 wait
horo without whilo thou dost put off tho
livery of thy service aud array thyself."
When sho was gone I tore off my gor
geous garments and spatupon them and trod
them on tho ground. Then I put on tho
modest roboof a merchant, and bound round
mo tho tablots, on my feet tho sandals
of uutanued hide, and at my waist tliokiilfo.
When it was done, Charmiou entered once
nguin nnd looked on mo.
"Too much art thou still tho Uoyal Har
machis," sho said. "See, It must bo
chauged."
Then sho look scissors from hor tiring
table, and bidding mo to bo seated, sho cut
off my locks, clipping ttio hair close to tho
head. Next sho found stains of such sort
as women use to make dark tho oyes and
mixed them cunningly, rubbing tho stuff on
my face und hands and on the whito mark
in my hair whore tho sword of Brennus had
bitten to tho bono.
"Now nrt thou changed somewhat for
tho worse, Harmachis," sho sajd, with u
dreary laugh; "scarco mysolf should I
know thoo. Stay, thero Is ono moro tiling,''
and golug to a ohost of garmonts, sho drew
thotico a heavy bag of gold.
"Tako thou this," she said; "thou wilt
havo need of money."
"I can not tako thy gold, Charmlon."
"Yea, tako It. It was Sopu who gavo It
to mo for ttio furtherance of our cause, aud
therefore 'tis lit ting that thou shouldst
spend It. Moreovor, if I want it, doubtless
Antony, who is honcoforth my master, will
givo mu mora; ho is much bcholdon to me,
and this woll ho knows. Thorc, wasto not
tho precious time In haggling o'or tho pelf
not yet art thou ull a morchant, Har
machis;" and, without moro words, bIio
thrust the pieces Into the leather bug that
hung across my shoulders. Then she mado
fast the sack containing tho spare gar
ments, nnd bo womunly thoughtful was sho,
hid therein an uiubustor jar of pigment,
whorewith I mrht stain my countenance
afresh, nnd, taking tho broidorcd robes of
mine office that I had cast off, hid them in
tho secret pnssugo. And so ut last ull was
mado ready.
"Is It timo that 1 should go!" I asked.
"Xot yet awhllo. Bo patient, Hurmachis;
for but one littlo hour moro must thou en
duro my presence, und then, pcichanco,
furowell forever."
I mado a gesturo signifying thnt this was
no hour for shurp words.
"Forgive mo my quick tonguo," sho sold;
"but from a Bait spring do blttor waters
well. Be seated, Harmachis ; I have heavier
words to spoak to thoo beforo thou goest."
"Say on," I answered; "words, howovor
heavy, can move mo no moro."
Sho stood boforo mo with folded bands,
and tho lump light shono upon hor beaute
ous faco. Idly I noticed how great was Its
pallor and how wido und dark wero the
rings about tho deep black oyos. Twice
she lifted her whito faco and strovo to
spoak, twice hor voice failed her; and
when at lust it camo 'twas in a hoarso
whisper.
"I can not lot theo go," sho said "I can
not lot thee go unwiCling of tho truth.
Ilarmachlt, 'twat J who did betray tluxl"
I sprang to my foot, an oath upon my
lips; but sho caught mu by tho hand.
"Ob, bo seated," sho said "bo seated
and hear mo; then, when thou hast hoard,
do unto mo us thou wilt. Listen I from
that evil moment when, lu tho prononco of
thy uncle Sepa, for tho second time I But
eyes upon thy faco, I loved thoo how
much, littlo canst thou guess) Think upon
thine own lovo for Cleopatra, und double It,
and doublo it ngaln, and, perchance, thou
mayst coino near to my love's mighty sum.
I loved thwe, day by day I loved theo more,
till in theo and for theo ailono I scorned to ,
llvo. But thou wust cold thou wast worso
than cold; thou dldsVdeal with mo not us a i
breathing woman, but rather as tha Instru- 1
nent to mi end as a tool wherewith to
grave thy fortunes. And thon I suw yea,
long boforo thyself thou knowest
It thy hoart's tide was sotting strong
towards that ruinous shore whore
on to-day thy lifo is broken.
And at last camo that night, that
dreadful night, when, hid within tho cham
ber, I saw theo cast my kerchief to the
winds, and with sweot words cherish my
Uoyal rival's gift. Thon oh I thou knowest
la my pain I betrayed the secret that
thou wouldst not see and thou dldtt
mako a mock of mo, Harmachis I Ob
the shame of it! thou, in thy foolisbneii,
didst make ujraock of met 1 went thence,
ad. wlthlnnij were rising pJl the torniinU
which can tear a woman's heart, for now 1
was sure thnt thou didst lovo Cleopatra!
Ay, nnd so mad was 1, oven that night was
I minded to betray theo; but I thought
not yet; not yet; to-morrow homnysoften
Thon camo tho morrow, nnd nil wns ready
for tho bursting of tho great plot that should
mako theo Pharaoh. And I, too, came
thou dost remember and again thou. didst
put mo away when I spako to theo In para
bles, as something of littlo worth, as a thing
too small to clahn n moment's weighty
thought. And, knowing that this was bo
cause though knowest it not thou didst
love Cleopatra, whom now thou must
straightway slay, I grow mad, nnd a wicked
spirit entered into mc, possessing mo MU
terly, so that no longer was I myAclf. And
becauso thou hudst scorned me, this, to my
everlasting shamo nnd sorrow 1 did! I
passed into Cleopatra's presenco nnd be
trayed thee anil thoso with thee, and all our
holy cause, saying thnt I had found a writ
ing which thou hadst lot fall aud read all
this therein "
I gasped nnd sat silent; and gazing sadly
at mo sho wont on :
"When sho understood how great was
tho plot, and how deep its roots, Cleo
patra was much troubled; and, nt lirst, she
would have lied to Sais or taken ship and
run for Cyprus, but 1 showed her thnt tho
ways wero barred. Then sho said that sho
would cause theo to bo slain, thero. In tho
chamber, ;!ml I left hor so believing; for,
at that hour, rain was I that thou shouldst bo
slain ay, even if I wept out my heart upon
thy grive. But what said I ntioni ven
geance is an arrow that oft falls on htm
wholooser.it! So was it with mo; for bo
tvtcon my going und thy coming sho
hatched a deeper plan. Sho feared that to
slay then would but bo io light a Hewer
tiro of revolt; but sho saw that to blud
theo to hor, and hsving loft men nwhlle la
doubt, to show theo faithless would strike
the imminent J anger nt its roots and
wither it. This plot onco formed, being
great, sho dared its doubtful issue, and -need
1 go on! Thou knowest, Harniacliis,
how sho won; and thus did tho shaft of
vengeanco that 1 loosed fall upon my own
head. For on tho morrow I know that I
had sinned for naught, that on the
wretched Paulus had been lnid tho burden
of my betrayal, and that Iliad but ruined
tho cause whereto I was sworn und given
tho man I loved to tho urins of wanton
Ecn-t."
(TO UK CONTINL'KI).
PRETTY GINGHAM GOWNS.
Colors unit M) lt4 That I'romUo to lie Wry
'opular.
Scotch ginghams for inldsiiuimor
drosses nro brought out at this early
season to be mado up during tho mod
isto's dull season. Tho colors fashion
able for cashmeres nro repeated In theso
siniplo cotton fabrics, and a touch of
blade In stripes or bars is added to many
of tho newest patterns. Tho black
stripes aro of sateen, and look liko linos
of genuino satin most oirectlvoly ar
ranged ut intervals on an old-row ging
ham that Is strewn with darker chine
(lowers, or on sago greon or palo bluo of
tho samo design; or thero aro irrogtilar
linos of black marking gray-bluo, pink,
or stoni greon stripes, or stripes that
al tomato with whito stripes; thoro aro
aluoplaidsof Sucdo anil whito with black
and roso saloon liars, or pink and gray
with blade, groon and gray with black,
and yellow with black and white cross
bars. Bordered ginghams aro so wido that
the width servos for tho length of tho
skirt, tho border trimming tho foot;
those havo a plain ground, with wido
Scotch plaid border, or olso graduated
stripes of tho now chino designs in
vines. Many light-colored ginghams
havo dilno llowors of a darker shade,
aniltl narrow saloon stripes, while other
now ginghams havo broad, elilne-Hgiired
stripes alternating" with whito or light
plain stripes. Itourotto stripes with laco
llko tli in stripes uro pretty, and tho
rough bourotto threads, sometimes in
black or In white1, aro strewn about at
intervals on otherwise plain ginghams.
Genuine tartan colors aro soon in tho
nowest Scotch plaids in tho dark blpo
and greon tartans so much worn in wool
en goods, and tho gay Stuart plaids of
red, greon anil white. Fancy plaids
coino in charming soft colors of liiuuvo
with yellowish brown, of rose pink with
whito nnd greon; of gray-bluo or porco
lain or navy bluo with ivory
whito. Heliotrope, mauve, lavondor,
yellow and greon ginghams will bo
as much worn as they woro last yoar,
and thero aro many of tho pretty half
inch stripes of tlireo colors together, as
green, cream and old-rose, or gray,
brown and green, or lavondor, vlolot nnd
browji, or palo blue, dark gray and clear
white. For children aro tho Scotch
plaids and the smaller crossbars and
lino stripes of a color on whito.
For trimming these ginghams nro tho
white oinbroldurod muslins, used as
yokes, Spanish jackets, collars, cutts,
and as Insertions in tho skirt of very
simply made gowns, with full waist,
slightly pointed in front, either straight
or pointed In tho back, and with straight
skirts. The largo sleeves will bo worn
by many, mado precisely as thoy woro
last summer, but thu modistes advise
moderately largo coat sloovos, or olso
the mutton-log sleoves, mado without
too much fullness nt tho top. Ores grain
ribbon of the most promlnont color in
tho gingham will bo set diagonally on
tho front of tho bodico, and handed on
its pointed edge. Wido Vandykes of
white embroidery will bo inserted
straight across tho front of pointed
bodices of solid-colored ginghams, Homo
what in yoke fashion, or two narrower
rows of upturned points will be usod,
the lower row passing just under tho
nrinholes, and that abovo from sleeve to
sleovo. The fashion of fastening the
front of tho bodico out of sight will bu
continued in theso cotton dresses, the
small buttons ami loujis being hidden
under embroidery down thu middle ol
the front, or tinder epaulettes or a Span
ish jacket on tho left side. The plaid
ginghams will bo cut bias throughout,
and mado with round bolted waist
very slightly full ut tho belt, and quite
plain on the shoulders. High standing
collars of embroidery, and also turned
down collars, with culls to mutch on full
sleeves, will bo worn with these waists.
Hurpor'n Bazar,
It's about un oven tiling, wo aro
told, between man and tho orange pool.
Sometimes tho man thrown tho orange
peel Into tho gutter, and sometimes tho
ornnVo peul throws tho man Into the
gutter.
A FRIENDS WEDDING.
Tlio ICnllro Orrinony Took I.rn Than Ilntf
mi llniir'ftTlino.
A short time since I had the pleasure
of witnessing a Friends wedding in tho
old meeting houso at the corner of Fif
teenth and 1'ace streets, Philadelphia.
To ono from New Kiigland, where such
alfairs are not common, it wns indeed a
novelty. I'jkiii entering the meeting
house the extreme plainness and sim
plicity of the surroundings attract tho
eye of the stranger. Diroctly in front,
and facing the entrance, are three rows
of iinupholstorod benches. There is a
mil lory extending around three sides of
the building and containing several rows
of benches, ench one being much higher
than the preceding one. The massive
pulpit, the customary church organ, tho
handsome windows of cathedral glass,
all these nre absent, and their absence
tends to give the place a tone foreign to
that of the majority of religions edlllces
of to-day. After taking our sents, and
before the wedding party arrive, wo
have an opportunity to observe our sur
roundings and the guests who have as
sembled to witness the ceremony. It is
eideiit that the female portion of n
Friends congregation do not coino to
gether to exhibit any new style of head
gear, as their sisters in other denomina
tions nre often charged with doing.
Suddenly the low murmur of voices
ceases, and without any pomp, or being
heralded by the swelling sound of some
famous wedding march, the bride and
jrootu. preceded by the ushers and fol
lowed by the bride-maids and their es
corts, come slowly up the aisle, and tako
their places In the center of tho
front row of seats, facing the Friends
who have come to witness tho
ceremony. In tho second row of seats,
and directly behind the bride and groom,
are seated the nearest relatives of tho
contracting parties. All Is profound si
lence for a short time, then the brido
and groom rise simultaneously and elasp
their right hands, and the groom says:
"In the presence of the Lord and theso
our friends, I tako thee, , to
be my wife, promising, with dlvino as
sistance, to be unto theo a faithful and
loving husband until death shall separ
ate us." As soon as he has llnished, tho
bride says, in substance, the same thing,
after which they resume their seats. A
table Is then brought in and placed bo
foro them by the ushers, on which tho
marriage certillcate is signed. The cor
tillcate is then handed back to tho near
est relative of tho brido and tho tablo
removed. It is necessary that the cer
tillcate be signed .by the bride-niaids
and groomsmen also. After a short pe
riod of silence tho person holding tho
document arises and reads It aloud.
After this reading, It is often customary
to havo a sermon preached by somo
prominent person. Another period of
silence then follows, and Is closed by
one of the relatives rising and asking
that the guests remain seated until tho
bridal party have passed out, which is a
signal for them to do so.
The entire ceremony takes less than
half an hour, and the strange solemnity
of it all, together with the absence of a
clergyman, gives It a rather strange ap
pearance. Cor. Boston Transcript.
PARIS PAWN SHOPS.
The IiiiuieiiHo Amount of IIiihIiichs llonolly
TIii'ho Institution.
Some statistics of the amount of busi
ness done by tho pawn shops of Paris
and some account of their working aro
included In the last published "Annu
al ro Stiitistiqiio do la Villo do Paris."
Tho tnont-de-plote, says the olllclal re
port, derives no profit from its opera
tions, and its action Is chiiritable, inas
much as it shelters borrowers from tho
rapacity of, usurers, but it must not bo
thought that those who have recottrso to
It are receiving public aid or that tho
mont-de-pleto is a purely oharitablo in
stitution. What the mont-do-ploto does
is to lend money on personal property nt
seven percent. Interest. This high rate
of interest is necessary in order to do
fray tho expenses of tho management,
the storage of goods, etc. On articles of
jewelry, plate and things that will not
deteriorate, four-llfths of the valuo is
given. If at the end of the year the
liiont-de-plote has a surplus the rate of
Interest is reduced. If it should run
short of capital, it receives donations
from tho Department of Public Aid. In
some cities in France including Mont
poller, Toulouse and Orenoblo the
working expenses are defrayed entirely
by charity and no interest is charged on
loans.
During tho last year for which llguros
are given 1,1 l(),ti:i(l articles were pledged
in Paris, representing a sum of :!5,K40,
150 francs; 750,(171 articles, worth 18,001,
140 francs, were renewed; a total value
of nearly SI 1,000,000. Tho nverage
amount of the loan was ST. There were
U,0I0,0J7 articles withdrawn, nnd 207,(117
articles upon which payments had lapsed
were sold, and brought 4,0tiS,840 francs.
A largo part of the patronage of tho
mont-de-pleto comes from porsons in n
small way of business, and many of the
articles pledged aro now goods. Manu
facturers and merchants deposited 1118,
KO articles, for which thoy received
8'..', 000, 000. This phase of tho rolo
played by the inont-do-ploto is ox
plained in a work published some timo
ago by an ex-dlreutor of the institution,
lie says:
"It is nn orror to suppose that tho
operations of tho mont-de-pleto aro in
u ratio with poverty and misery. The
opposite is the case. When business is
brisk small merchants and manufactur
ers seek from tho mont-do-ploto the
capital thoy aro in need of, and which
they can not llnd elsewhere on so good
terms. If there is a lull in trade tho
business of the niont-de-ploto dimin
ishes." Tho largor number of thoso who Book
relief In times of need in tho pawnshop
belong, In Paris, as olsowhero, to tho
working classos. In tho case of strikes,
or during a prolonged crisis, tho capital
of tho inont-do-ploto is swallowed up.
During tho slego of 1'arln It was com
pletely cleaned out At tho end of July,
1S70, It had a rosorvo of 8,000,000 fraaoa,
but by February, 1871, this had Bunlcto
O'J.OOO francs, and It would havo aol
lapsed but for a loan of 8,000,000 fraaos
from tho post-ofllco savings banks. Nk
V, Sun.