I took her in my arms and kissed her back. For an instant my mind swam. Then in my soul I cried for help, and strength came to me. Rising, I lifted her as though she were a child, and stood her on her feet. I said: "Hearken, Empress, before destruction falls. I do understand now, though a moment ago I did not, who never thought it possible that the queen of the world could look with favour upon one so humble."
"Love takes no account of rank," she murmured, "and that kiss of yours upon my lips is more to me than the empire of the world."
"Yet hearken," I answered. "There is another wall between us which may not be climbed."
"Man, what is this wall? Is it named woman? Are you sworn to the memory of that Iduna, who is more fair than I? Or is it, perchance, her of the necklace?"
"Neither. Iduna is dead to me; she of the necklace is but a dream. The wall is that of your own faith. On this night seven days ago I was baptised a Christian."
"Well, what of it? This draws us nearer."
"Study the sayings of your sacred book, Empress, and you will find that it thrusts us apart."
Now she coloured to her hair, and a kind of madness took her.
"Am I to be preached to by you?" she asked.
"I preach to myself, Augusta, who need it greatly, not to you, who mayhap do not need it."
"Hating me as you do, why should you need it? You are the worst of hypocrites, who would veil your hate under a priest's robe."
"Have you no pity, Irene? When did I say that I hated you? Moreover, if I had hated you, should I----" and I ceased.
"I do not know what you would or would not have done," she answered coldly. "I think that Constantine is right, and that you must be what is called a saint; and, if so, saints are best in heaven, especially when they know too much on earth. Give me that sword of yours."
I drew the sword, saluted with it, and gave it to her.
"It is a heavy weapon," she said. "Whence came it?"
"From the same grave as the necklace, Augusta."
"Ah! the necklace that your dream-woman wore. Well, go to seek her in the land of dreams," and she lifted the sword.