An arch, supported by pillars of Libyan marble, divided the wide space.

In the first, near a window closely muffled with draperies, stood two ivory beds, surmounted with crowns of gold and silver set with pearls and turquoises.

Around the edge, carved by the hands of a great artist, ran a line of happy children dancing to the songs of birds in blossoming bushes.
The couches were separated by a heavy curtain which the eunuchs had raised at the approach of the Queen.

Cleopatra could now see them all at a single glance, and the picture was indeed one of exquisite charm; for on these beautiful couches slept the twins, the ten-year-old children of Cleopatra and Antony--Antonius Helios and Cleopatra Selene.

The girl was pink and white, fair and wonderfully lovely; the boy no less beautiful, but with ebon-black hair, like his father.