She must obey any command of Iras, Cleopatra's messenger, and her companion." Then, closing the diptychon, she handed it to her attendant, asking: "Whom will you take ?" She answered without hesitation, "Alexas." "Very well," answered Cleopatra.

"Do not allow her a moment for preparations, whatever they may be.

But do not forget--I command you--that she is a woman." With these words she turned to follow the chamberlain, but Iras hurried after her to adjust the diadem upon her head and arrange some of the folds of her robe.
Cleopatra submitted, saying kindly, "Something else, I see, is weighing on your heart." "O my mistress!" cried the girl.

"After these tempests of the soul, these harassing months, you are turning night into day and assuming fresh labours and anxieties.

If the leech Olympus--" "It must be," interrupted Cleopatra kindly.