Irene turned upon the eunuch as a she-lion turns upon some hunter that disturbs it from its prey. Noting the anger in her eyes, he fell back and prostrated himself. Thereupon she spoke to me as though his entry had interrupted her words.
"Those are the orders, Captain Olaf. See that you forget none of them. Even if this proud eunuch, who dares to appear before me unannounced, bids you to do so, I shall hold you to account. To-day I leave the city for a while for the Baths whither I am sent. You must not accompany me because of the duty I have laid upon you here. When I return, be sure I'll summon you," and, knowing that Stauracius could not see her from where he lay, for a moment she let her splendid eyes meet my own. In them there was a message I could not mistake.
"The Augusta shall be obeyed," I answered, saluting. "May the Augusta return in health and glory and more beautiful than----"
"Iduna the Fair!" she broke in. "Captain, you are dismissed."
Again I saluted, retreating from the presence backwards and staying to bow at each third step, as was the custom. The process was somewhat long, and as I reached the door I heard her say to Stauracius, "Hearken, you dog. If ever you dare to break in upon me thus again, you shall lose two things--your office and your head. What! May I not give secret orders to my trusted officer and not be spied upon by you? Now, cease your grovellings and lead in these Persians, as you have been bribed to do."
Passing through the silk-clad, bejewelled Persians who waited in an antechamber with their slaves and gifts, I gained the great terrace of the palace which looked upon the sea. Here I found Martina leaning on the parapet.
"Have you more of the Augusta's pearls about you, Olaf?" she asked mockingly, speaking over her shoulder.
"Not I, Martina," I answered, halting beside her.
"Indeed. I could have sworn otherwise, for they are perfumed, and I seemed to catch their odour. When did you begin to use the royal scent upon that yellow beard of yours, Olaf? If any of us women did so, it would mean blows and exile; but perchance a captain of the guard may be forgiven."
"I use no scents, girl, as you know well. Yet it is true that these rooms reek of them, and they cling to armour."
"Yes, and still more to hair. Well, what gift had my mistress for you to-day?"