Heliobas issued his orders, and saw to the carrying out of his most minute instructions in his usual calm manner; but his eyes looked heavy, and his fine countenance was rendered even more majestic by the sacred, resigned sorrow that lay upon it like a deep shadow.

His page served him with breakfast in his private room: but he left the light meal untasted.

One of the women brought me coffee; but the very thought of eating and drinking seemed repulsive, and I could not touch anything.

My mind was busy with the consideration of the duty I had to perform--namely, to see the destruction of Zara's colossal statue, as she had requested.
After thinking about it for some time, I went to Heliobas and told him what I had it in charge to do.

He listened attentively.
"Do it at once," he said decisively.