Go on, Zoe." Ten more psalms had been read, and a few verses repeated twice or thrice by Cleopatra's desire, when the pretty Athenian returned with flaming cheeks, and said in an excited tone: "It is not your husband, the king, but your brother Euergetes, who asks to speak with you." "He might have chosen some other hour," replied Cleopatra, looking round at her maid.

Thais cast down her eyes, and twitched the edge of her robe between her fingers as she addressed her mistress; but the queen, whom nothing could escape that she chose to see, and who was not to-day in the humor for laughing or for letting any indiscretion escape unreproved, went on at once in an incensed and cutting tone, raising her voice to a sharp pitch: "I do not choose that my messengers should allow themselves to be detained, be it by whom it may--do you hear! Leave Me this instant and go to your room, and stay there till I want you to undress me this evening.

Andromeda--do you hear, old woman ?--you can bring my brother to me, and he will let you return quicker than Thais, I fancy.

You need not leer at yourself in the glass, you cannot do anything to alter your wrinkles.

My head-dress is already done.