The Wanderer's Necklace

w, arrived, and that to him in due form I handed over my offices and duties. Before I did so, however, I made it my

ies on this small matter of image worship, I expected to die in this place

ur, Father," I answered. "I told her th

th his shrewd bl

reason, seeing that better men than I am have suffered banishment and worse woes for

ng, Fa

that dream I saw you walk through a great fire and emerg

m unburned, though what will happen to me in the

n when the storm-clouds sweep about your head and the lightnings blind your eyes. I say, fear nothing, for you have friends whom you cannot see. I ask no more even under the seal of confession, sinc

ow, Father?" I aske

do, but to what end I cannot say. Later on I shall return, if God so wills. I go to dwell with good folk who are

release, bade him farewell for that time, making it known to the guards and certain

we pa

why. Presently I discovered, for across the square within the gates marched a full general's guard, whereof the officer also saluted, and prayed me to come with him. I went, wondering if I was to be given in charge, and by him, surrounded with this pompous guard, was led to my new quarters, which were more splendid than I could have dreamed. Here the guard left me, and prese

ugusta upon the main terrace, surrounded by a number of ministers and courtiers. I saluted and wou

r. At the State prison, as its governor, of which office you are now relieved at your own reque

dismissal. I saluted again, and began to step backwards, according to the rule, whereon she

in answer. There he stands, like a soldier cut in iron who moves by springs, with never an 'I thank you' or a 'Good day' on his lips. Doubtless he would reprove us all, who, he holds, talk too much, being,

true, A

, since henceforth our friendship will be closer and we value you. General, you must be received publicly into the bosom of the Faith; it will be an encouragement to others to follow your examp

n the Augusta has considered of the

instead of growing angry, as I though

mewhat heavy. Tell us, General, are your new quarters to your taste, and before you reply know that we inspected them ourselves, and, having a liking for s

rs are too fine for a single soldier. The two

a fault which can be remedied.

marry me and whom I wish to marry,

rove the lady. Venture not, General, to share those new

ay, and I went about my business, wondering what was

t avail, to escape this ceremony, pointing out that I could be publicly received into the body of the Church at any chapel where there was a priest and a congregation of a dozen humble folk. But this the Empress would not allow. The reason she gave was her desire that my c

en chariot, drawn by the famed milk-white steeds. I, it seemed, was to ride after the chariot in my general's uniform, which was splendid enough, followed by a company of guards, and surr

tended to be my god-moth

ina. "On that point sh

better," I sa

a god-parent and his or her god-child," she replied dryly. "Whether this

" I asked hurriedly, leaving the pr

mperial decree delivere

ho are younger than

nd to talk together so much alone, doubtless, she supposed, upon matters of religion, there c

an, Martina?" I

, where you are concerned, the Augusta of late has done me the honour to be somewhat jealou

," I said. "Why should the

, and she knows that we are intimate and that you trust me-well, more, perhaps, than you trust her. Oh! I assure

ment. But tell me outright, Martina

den-headed Northma

gain, and, if so, whether she will choose a certain somewhat over-virtuous Christian soldier as a second husband. As yet she has not made up her mind. Moreover, even if she had, nothing could be done at present or

two perhaps he would be w

racius, the eunuch, is to be your god-father, which is very fortunate for you, since, although he looks on you with doubt and jealousy, to blind or murder his own god-son would cause too much scandal even in Constantinople. As a special mark of grace, also, the Bishop Barnabas, of Egypt, will be allowed to assist in the ceremony, because it was he who snatched your soul from the burning. Moreover, since the Sacrament is to be administered afterwa

laughed a little,

fterwards the good old man, who by now was quite recovered from his hurts and imprisonment, accompanied me to my quarters, where we ate together. He told me that before he attended in the chapel he had been re

d, "I am well aware I o

urn at once to Upper Egypt,

cataract of the Nile, almost on the borders of Ethiopia, whither the accursed children of Mahomet have not yet forced their way. He is still a great man among the Egyptians, who look upon him as their lawful princ

ieved over the loss of Egypt to the Empi

ncient blood. Mayhap you will note her in the cathedral. Nay, I forgot, not there, but afterwards in this palace, since it is the command of the Empress, to whom I have been speaking of their matters, th

d, and began to s

with my armour,

you wear. Of course I have noted it before, bu

strange

have seen ano

g, "for when I would not give this to the

, and, what is more, a s

? What story?"

crowns, and not on earthly necklaces. I must be gone; nay, stay me not, I am already

, he went, muttering: "Strange! Exceeding st

ered on the right shoulder. Stauracius, the eunuch and great minister, who had been ordered to act as my god-father, rode alongside of me on a mule, because he dared not mount a horse, sweating beneath his thick robe of office, and, as I heard from time to time, cursing me, his god-son, and all

s centred, not about me, with my escort of guards and chanting priests, but in Irene's self. Preceded and followed by glittering regiments of soldiers, she drove in her famous golden chariot, drawn by eight milk-white steeds, each of which was led by a bejewelled noble. Her dress was splendid and co

the Augustus. We will not be r

ed to bar the road, till they were driven away, leaving a few dead or wounded behind them. But still the crowds shout

, its aisles and apses, and its glittering mosaics shining through the holy gloom, across which shot bars of light from the high window-places. All the great place was ful

do not return to me. Sweet voices sang, censers gave forth their incense, banners waved, and images of the saints, standing everywhere, smiled upon us fixedly. Some of us were baptised, and some who had already been baptised were

rayer. My god-father and god-mother embraced me, Stauracius smacking the air at a distance, for which I was grateful, and Martina touching me gently with her lips upon the brow. The Empress smiled upon m

the cathedral towards the great western doors, priests followed

t it was far away. It seemed to draw me, I knew not why. The face was that of a woman. She stood by an old and stately-looking man with a

The complexion, too, was somewhat dark, as though the sun had kissed it. The lips were red and curving, and about them played a little smile that was full of mystery as the eyes were full of though

I had dreamed on the night on which I

e she turned to whisper something to her companion, that the cloak she wore should open a little, rev

n before. Of a sudden her face grew doubtful and troubled, like to that of one who has just received some hurt. She saw the ornament about my neck. Sh

its glittering crowds, the sound of chanting and of feet that marched died from my ears. In place of these I saw a mighty columned

or this life

as though I had drunk a cup of wine. A spirit entered into me and, bending, I whispered in her ear, speaking in

ave; yes, and hear

ve

knew