Part 27 (1/2)

'”They are not privy to the design to deliver up to thy great power the Queen their mother; but they are my friends, and most surely do I count upon their support. As I shall return king of Palmyra, they will gladly share my power.”

'”But if friends of thine, they are enemies of mine,” rejoined Aurelian, in terrific tones; ”they are seeds of future trouble; they may sprout up into kings also, to Rome's annoyance. They must be crushed. Dost thou understand me?”

'”I do, great Prince. Leave them to me. I will do for them. But to say the truth they are too weak to disturb any--friends or enemies.”

'”Escape not so. They must die.” roared Aurelian.

'”They shall--they shall,” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the alarmed Antiochus; ”soon as I am within the walls their heads shall be sent to thee.”

'”That now is as I would have it. One thing more thou hast asked--that the fair slave who accompanies thee be spared to thee, to be thy Queen.”

'”It was her desire--hers, n.o.ble Aurelian, not mine.”

'”But didst thou not engage to her as much?”

'”Truly I did. But among princes such words are but politic ones: that is well understood. Kings marry for the state. I would be higher matched;” and the sensual demon cast his eyes significantly towards the Princess Julia.

'”Am I understood?” continued Antiochus, Aurelian making no response. ”The Princess Julia I would raise to the throne.” The monster seemed to dilate to twice his common size, as his mind fed upon the opening glories.

'Aurelian had turned from him, looking first at his Roman attendants, then at the Queen and Julia--his countenance kindling with some swelling pa.s.sion.

'”Do I understand thee?” he then said. ”I understand thee to say that for the bestowment of the favors and honors thou hast named, thou wilt do the things thou hast now specifically promised? Is it not so?”

'”It is, gracious king.”

'”Dost thou swear it?”

'”I swear it by the great G.o.d of Light!”

'The countenance of the Emperor now grew black with as it seemed mingled fury and contempt. Antiochus started, and his cheek paled. A little light reached his thick brain.

'”Romans,” cried Aurelian, ”pardon me for so abusing your ears! And you, our royal captives! I knew not that such baseness lived--still less that it was here. Thou foul stigma upon humanity! Why opens not the earth under thee, but that it loathes and rejects thee! Is a Roman like thee, dost thou think, to reward thy unheard-of treacheries? Thou knowest no more what a Roman is, than what truth and honor are. Soldiers! seize yonder miscreant, write traitor on his back, and spurn him forth the camp. His form and his soul both offend alike. Hence, monster!”

'Antiochus was like one thunderstruck. Trembling in every joint, he sought to appeal to the Emperor's mercy, but the guard stopped his mouth, and dragged him from the tent. His shrieks pierced the air as the soldiers scourged him beyond the encampment.

'”It was not for me,” said Aurelian, as these ceased to be heard, ”to refuse what fate threw into my hands. Though I despise the traitorous informer, I could not shut my ear to the facts he revealed, without myself betraying the interests of Rome. But, believe me, it was information I would willingly have spared, My infamy were as his to have rewarded the traitor. Fear not, great Queen; I pledge the word of a Roman and an Emperor for thy safety. Thou art safe both from Roman and Palmyrene.”

'”What I have but now been witness of,” replied the Queen, ”a.s.sures me that in the magnanimity of Aurelian I may securely rest.”

'”As the Queen uttered these words, a sound as of a distant tumult, and the uproar of a mult.i.tude, caught the ears of all within the tent.

'”What mean these tumultuous cries?” inquired Aurelian of his attending guard. ”They increase and approach.”

'”It may be but the soldiers at their game with Antiochus,” replied Probus.

'But it was not so. At the moment a Centurion, breathless, and with his head bare, rushed madly into the tent.

'”Speak,” said the Emperor, ”what is it?”

'”The legions!” said the Centurion, as soon as he could command his words, ”the legions are advancing, crying out for the Queen of Palmyra! They have broken from their camp and their leaders, and in one mixed body come to surround the Emperor's tent.”