He saw the sparkle of her large blue eyes, which never ceased to question, yet appeared to contain the mystery of the world.

He fancied he heard once more the silvery cadence of her voice and the bewitching magic of her pure, childlike laughter, and it was hard to remember what she had become.
Snatched away from the present, yet conscious that Fate had granted him a great boon in this sorrowful hour, he moved on at her side and led her through the main entrance, the spacious inner court-yard of the palace.
At the rear was the great door opening into the Queen's apartments, before which Mardion, Iras, and their companions had already stationed themselves.

At the left was a smaller one leading into the wing occupied by the children.
Archibius was about to conduct Cleopatra across the lighted court-yard, but she motioned towards the children's rooms, and he understood her.
At the threshold her hand fell from his arm, and when he bowed as if to retire, she said kindly: "There is Charmian.

You both deserve to accompany me to the spot where childhood is dreaming and peace of mind and painlessness have their abode.

But respect for the Queen has prevented the brother and sister from greeting each other after so long a separation.