The brilliant illumination which usually shone through the darkness would have attracted the attention of the Alexandrians.
Now it was close to the landing.

The group on shore watched every inch of its majestic progress with breathless suspense, but when the first rope was flung to the slaves on shore several men in Greek robes pressed forward hurriedly among the courtiers.
They had come with a message, whose importance would permit no delay, to the Regent Mardion, who stood between Zeno and Iras, gazing gloomily at the ground with a frowning brow.

He was pondering over the words in which to address the Queen, and within a few minutes the ship would have made her landing, and Cleopatra might cross the bridge.

To disturb him at that moment was an undertaking few who knew the irritable, uncertain temper of the eunuch would care to risk.

But the tall Macedonian, who for a short time attracted the eyes of most of the spectators from the galley, ventured to do so.