CHAPTER XXXVII - LIGHT RENDS THE GLOOM

Petronius attended the Prince to the door of his own apartments, at which he stationed two members of the guard, but allowed his illustrious ward to enter and be free within such limits.

Glarces was not the same man as when he went forth; every circumstance of the morning had helped to change him - to bring him back towards himself. His energies and faculties were awaking, the clouds which for so long had hung over his senses were rent, and for the first time since the fatal night he appeared cognisant of all that was passing. He was beginning to feel the true weight of his bereavement, though not yet able to understand and really grasp its attendant circumstances. That momentary vision at the pyre - so startling in its revelation beyond all anticipation, beyond all the knowledge of their teachers and wise men - had reduced the chaos of his mind to order, and in the heaven of his black night of despair had set a star of hope by which he could shape his course to some far distant haven of refuge. As yet he knew no more than this; the music of the unexpected hope had continued to fill his soul, and he was not anxious to disturb it, but yielding to its influence was borne back to a position of mind from which he could recognise his true surroundings and appreciate the difficulties with which he must needs contend.

As he threw off his himation he wondered at the absence of Orasus - the thought of his slave had never suggested itself to him before - but seeing the preparation for his morning meal, concluded he was thus engaged, and took his seat. It did not occur to him that this was no duty of his trusty servant, but when a stranger entered to make ready the table, he looked up with surprise, and asked:

“Where is Orasus this morning?”

“His service has been changed by order of the Queen, O Prince.”

“By order of the Queen! That is strange! “Then recalling the change he had forgotten for the moment, he corrected himself: “Oh, yes! Lais! But I shall want him now - will you tell him?”

“I will tell the captain of the guard.”

“What have I to do with the guard? Tell Orasus I will see him.”

“By the great Queen's command, O Prince, I can only carry your message to the guard.”

“Ah, yes. I had forgotten. It must be so! But would you tell Petronius I would speak with him?”

The man bowed and left the room. A moment later the captain entered.

“My good Petronius, come and tell me what has happened, and what has yet to be, for I am as one just waking from a sleep, and know little - except the memory of an awful dream.”

“I can say nothing,” answered the soldier, coldly, without any attempt to return the Prince's recognition.

“Have I also lost your friendship in my trouble?”

“The Queen's commands must be obeyed,” was the curt and only reply.

“Then will you carry my respectful homage to the Queen and ask that I may see her?”

“I will do so at once, O Prince.”

The officer saluted and retired, and Glarces was left to reflect upon the position in which, for the first time, he found himself.

“A prisoner in my own rooms. That is what it all means. A prisoner awaiting punishment. Well, if my sentence is as I deserve all will soon be over, and I shall be on my way towards the reunion to which she called me. But will Sahama have no revenge to take of me? Will the people be content to suffer this loss of all their hopes - this ruin of the happiness Vedrona would have brought them - and allow me to escape my punishment? And yet their bearing toward me seemed to say so just now! Do they know better than myself the circumstances of the night through which I have passed? Have they been witnesses of the horrible dream of which I have lost so many details, and of the things I do remember know not which is true or false? What is this fear - this dread I have of Lais? Do the people share it, and think that she has in some way wrought this trouble, therefore they pity me! No, no! This is unworthy of me! And, yet, I was with her at the last, if I could but recall it! When I was speaking at the pyre it all passed before me, and I could see - could understand everything! But it has gone now! I can remember nothing - yes, I was with her! We were watching the dancers. She asked me to pledge her in a cup in which she mixed a draught to overcome fatigue. I remember that, but no more! I fell asleep, and all the rest is a dream! But I killed Vedrona! Did I? How do I know? Who told me? Why - Lais said so in my dream! But I would not have it so! It was she - not I! Yes, I remember now! That was part of the vision at the pyre. I did it, but she compelled me. The draught she induced me to drink gave me over to the furies that she might kill Vedrona and my mother! And I have lent myself to serve her purpose - have murdered love and fallen victim to her wiles! O, woe is me! Woe is me!”

In the unsatisfactory train of such vague uncertainties he lost himself, and wandered without a thought of the message he had sent to the Queen. In fact his reflection rather led him away from the desire to see her for the present. His frame of mind was not that to solicit confidences from Lais or repose his own in her. Her conduct toward him at the rites, so far as he had noticed it, was capable of bearing a construction either for or against him, and he was altogether without a definite suggestion to guide him. If only he could reach Teresh! He would know what had taken place; how the Queen had been, and the mind of the people concerning everything. How could he reach his friend? Then the reticence of Petronius occurred to him. Perhaps Teresh would also be estranged. If so, that would be evidence that he was held to be guilty, and the people had deserted him. But their conduct towards him at the pyre did not confirm the thought. And in these doubts he became more and more hopelessly entangled, until a voice well known, but hitherto crowded from his thoughts, aroused him.

“Glarces!”

It was musical in its nervous apprehension, strong and resonant in its affection, and strangely sympathetic with his need, therefore it reached him. It was a sweeter voice than that of Teresh - there was no mistaking it. If forgotten she had not forgot. Its whisper of his name smote the gloom which encompassed him, and let the welcome sunshine through. He started with the welcome beaming from his face.

“Ah, my mother, the gods are good to send you here.” Such a greeting left no doubt as to the condition of his mind to Tasha. The caution of Lais vanished, and in a moment they were folded in each other's arms.

Hush! The occasion and circumstances of their reunion called for silence. It was granted because neither heaven nor earth has present power to speak at such a time. Only in the solemn hush of love can hearts breathe the deep utterances they needs must speak.

When she raised her head from his convulsive breast they were both strengthened.

“It was not the gods, my boy, but Lais who bade me come.”

“Then the gods had heard my prayer and moved her to answer it.” “Why? Did you want to see me?”

A flutter of joy and pride took possession of her humble heart at the thought that she was so much to him as to be needed in such trouble.

“Yes - I did need you; more than I knew until this moment, but - don't be hurt, dear - the thought of you had never crossed my mind. I had thought of - and wished to see - others; but the one who could comfort most had been forgotten. The gods knew best, and pitied me most when they sent you. But did you say Lais bid you come?”

“Yes, dear; she could not come herself, so she called for me.” “And you were glad to come, I know.” “Ah, my boy, you do not know how glad!”

“Yes, dear, I do. I can tell your feelings by my own. But, tell me, is Lais so distressed?”

“She is simply broken-hearted.” “Is it from grief or fear?” “Glarces, my boy, what do you mean?”

“Forgive me if my enquiries pain you. But I would ask you to remember that I know nothing. I have but now awakened from a dream in the unconsciousness of which I know only too well what a deadly deed I have worked. How I know it I cannot say - and yet I do know it. I also have a memory that once, when half awake, Lais came to me and I accused her of being the cause of what I did; but I fell asleep again, and knew no more until I woke again this morning.”

With the weariness of his endeavour to remember he dropped back again into the almost continuous attitude of his affliction - head buried in his arms and cushions - and she began to comfort him with true maternal solicitude.

“I am glad you have told me this, because I can understand you now, and will tell you everything. You must not think ill of Lais in this misfortune. I have done so, and everyone appears to do so-”

“Do they?”

“Yes, I believe so; but they do her an injustice.” “Has she not planned all this?”

“No, my boy - a thousand times, no!”

“Then, Tasha,” and he looked up with a wild, agonised look upon his face - “do you think I - I killed her myself ?” “No! No! Glarces, it was not that.”

“Then what was it?”

“I don't know!” she cried distractedly. “That is a mystery we cannot fathom yet. But I am sure it was not Lais.” “Yet you say everyone thinks so.”

“No! Not that - not that! Everyone seems to be suspicious, that is all.”

“What are they suspicious of?”

“I don't know. Everybody is afraid to speak.” “Why?” “They are afraid.” “Of what?”

“I don't know - Lais, I think.”

“Have you not spoken to Teresh about it?”

“No. Everybody avoids everybody. No one seems to be able to trust even their dearest friend.”

“And still you have confidence in Lais?”

“I had not, until she sent for me, and I have seen her grief - heard all she said, and know how bitterly I have wronged her.”

“So have I wronged her, Tasha! So has she wronged me, and is doing the same to you in an attempt to clear her guilty sole of what she has done. If I had not been so blind - had I but listened to Vedrona, she and my mother had been living now, and this vile cockatrice had been defeated in her dark designs.”

“Hush, dear! It is not like my boy to speak so harshly.” “No! The greatest regret I now have is that I have been so long a boy - have so long permitted myself to have a boy's confidence until it has claimed so great a penalty. Now that it is, in the greatest sense, too late, I begin to see and understand the duty of a man, and I will discharge it, Tasha, to its utmost limit. It has been costly work to tear the mask from this vampire's face, but I have been made to pay the price, and by all the gods we worship, Vedrona and my mother shall be avenged.”

“Yes, dear, and I will give my life to help you,” Tasha answered him, for in his declamation he had grown so vehement as to recall the caution of his aberration, at which she grew nervous in spite of her affection.

“I know you will. Ah, that she had only been half as true as you are. Now, hear me, Tasha; I must see Teresh. When you leave me send him here. He will know what is going on, and we can take counsel together.”

“He will be able to help you a thousand times better than I, but you must not see him now. You must rest and recover yourself first.”

“There is no recovery but by avenging the wrong from which I receive all this trouble.

“I know it, but you must overcome the effects of the blow, dear, before you are in a position to do anything. I want to say so much to you about-”

“So do I, Tasha. But see, this hand has driven her away - robbed her of life; has put between us an awful division neither she nor I can pass. She may, by the favour of the gods, perhaps be able to look back and see what I am doing, and I must let her know that I am not content to leave her wrong unpunished.”

“She knows that already.”

“Yes, the love she has for me-” then he most sadly corrected himself - “or the love she did have for me before I slew it, will tell her so; but she must see my bitter penitence in my immediate effort to avenge her. I cannot let her look back and see me resting before I have done anything. I must work! So now, as you love me, go and bring Teresh to me.”

“Do you ask me to leave you so soon after an absence of three days - and such awful days - when I have so much to say?”

“Yes, my mother! Everything must now stand aside until Vedrona is avenged.”

“Then I shall lose you, too.”

“That loss is not worthy to be mentioned in the presence of Vedrona's. Then must my mother's death be forgotten also?”

“No! Nor do I ask you to forget them. Recover yourself, then I will help you with my life, if need be.”

“I wish to recover myself at once. Bring Teresh here, and I shall soon be

“I cannot - you must not see him yet.”

“What prevents you?” he enquired, with the fixed determined gaze she knew it was fruitless to trifle with.

“Because it would not be well for you.” “Why not?”

He had come to an end of argument, having divined that she was actuated by a motive she was unwilling to acknowledge.

“He is sleeping now. His duties of last night kept him from his bed.”

“What has that to do with its not being well for me to see him? He would gladly wake a thousand times to serve me. That is not the reason, Tasha. Neither has he forsaken me.”

“You were assured of that, my boy, this morning.”

“Yes, if that had been necessary. But why may I not see him?”

Should she venture to tell him? Her doubt did not arise from her present distrust of Lais, but rather from the effect any reference to her appeared to produce upon him. If his thoughts were drawn away he remained calm and reasonable, but the slightest allusion to the one he now naturally loved the best at once disturbed him by exciting the rancour of his overbalanced mind. It was only this thought - so skilfully and warily engrafted - that restrained her, since, as we well know, Lais held no comparison with Glarces in her affection. But the one had so deftly represented and interpreted appearances, and poor Tasha was artless and unsuspicious, therefore love was victimised and led to play the traitor.

“Why may I not see him, Tasha?” he again enquired. “What mystery prevents you speaking?”

“Nothing but the love I bear you. You can see him tomorrow, dear; but to­day I want you for myself alone.” “Teresh will not disturb us. You shall stay to nurse me, but he shall be the physician to advise; and with two such ministers I shall soon be well.”

“Am I not enough, dear?”

“Yes, for myself; but Vedrona would have Teresh called if I desired it. Shall we not think of her to-day?”

“We will think of her - I wish to speak of her. I wonder where she is and what she is doing now?”

“If she knows and is doing anything it is grieving that she is away and my mother refuses to allow me to see Teresh.”

“Is he more to you than I am?”

“Not more, but he is equally necessary just now. Why may I not see him. Why will she not come to see me?”

“She? Who?” “Lais!”

“She wishes to come, but she fears you would not see her.” “It is false! I sent for her at once on my return home and she has not answered me.”

“You sent for Lais?” “I did.”

“Then she does not know it, or else refrained from coming because her grief was so uncontrollable. Perhaps that is why she bade me come.”

“Oh, Tasha, how long can she deceive you? Send to her now. Say I would see Teresh and see if she will send him.”

“No, I cannot.”

“Why?”

“She would not let him come.”

“I thought so. And still you trust her. Her safety lies in keeping us apart, but she can blind you by her sophistries, and even make your love for me contribute to her own success. Oh, my mother, help me - help me in my extremity. Be my one friend, and in spite of all she says - careless of what she threatens - carry my wish to Teresh to see him at once, and we will deal with this outcast from Inferna, and save Sahama from her future mischief.”

She had again become visibly afraid of his excitement. It was doubtful to the weeping woman whether she or Lais stood first in his affection, but willing to think it was the latter, the next step in his aberration would be to turn upon herself, and the thought of consequences made her anxious to divert his thoughts.

“Would Vedrona so counsel you?” she asked.

The mention of the beloved name acted as a charm upon him.

“What would I not give for the power to ask it?” he replied. “And yet after the experience I had this morning, I have a deep-seated and growing hope that if you fail me - and I have none but you to trust in now - the love that still exists, the love that cannot be destroyed between us, will find a way by which justice shall be satisfied, and Lais shall bear her share of the penalty of the crime. The revelation of her plan is beginning to break upon me. It is coming to me even while I speak! Someone is near me - unseen, but not unfelt; silent, yet speaking in a voice I can hear and understand - bidding me to hope, filling me with assurance that all will yet be well. I shall not escape, but I shall not be foresaken! Sin must be punished, but in the punishment I shall not be left alone! Even from Pluto's kingdom there is an escape for repentant souls when their penalty is paid, and the hand of love will carry the torch of hope to light me on my way. I see it, Tasha, and am satisfied. It neither depends on Teresh nor yourself! No power on earth or in Hades is able to frustrate the law of the gods, and they have decreed it. There is a presence with me speaking with a wisdom greater than that of Chryses or of Meshrac; it has a voice more definite than the oracle, and sweeter than that of Rhea - Love is greater than death; it is unconquerable and inextinguishable. Vedrona is more and nearer to me now than ever. Yon smouldering pyre and the Car of Phœbus have no power to divide us! Henceforth where I am she must be; and where in yonder Elysian fields she shall find her home, she will also bring me by and by. No life, nor death, nor jealousy, nor hell has power to come between such love as ours.”

This new phase of his delirium was even more bewildering and terrifying to Tasha than the wild excitement. It was a repetition of the ecstasy witnessed at the pyre, but more pronounced. In the transformation it worked his face appeared to shine with a transparent softness, and filled the room with magnetic expectancy. Tasha feared, not so much for him as for herself, since the idea of an invisible and supernatural presence - apart from and beyond all acknowledged recognition and conception - had taken firm possession of her mind, and she trembled to think of the consequences.

“Poor Glarces - my poor boy!” she murmured.

“There is no need to pity me, my mother ; rather may we rejoice. Heaven is more generous than earth to suffering mortals, and the eternal gods are stronger than the prejudices of men! I am awake now! The morning of an unimagined revelation has broken upon me, and the affliction of my dream is over. Vedrona is safe beyond the reach of Lais! Death has not touched our love, and she will lead me, from above the clouds and shadows, to be with her where she is! She shall be now the minister and steward of the gods to guide me to a fairer Ambrosia than we have yet conceived. She is not lost! See! see! “ he cried, starting from his seat towards a corner of the room which lay in comparative shadow. “She is not gone, Tasha! She is not gone!”

Tasha turned under the impulse of his vehemence, and started to behold - Vedrona.

There was no room to doubt the vision: it was the same, yet not the same beloved one; in the world, still not of the world - the one stupendous miracle of heaven of which earth yet stands in incredible awe, hungering yet fearing to believe. She was not attired in the robes with which she vanished in the flames of the pyre, but in soft and flowing garments, white - blushing with alternate suggestion of pink and blue, with a supernatural haze surrounding her like a saintly aureole!

The two beholders gazed in mute astonishment across that narrow space which lay between themselves and the object of their love! So near, and yet so far beyond the mortal, in the region of eternal peace, she stood. The form, the features still the same, but the sweetness of her smile and expression far more divine than even Glarces had been able to express in the olden days. Her lips were silent, but from her eloquent eyes her brother read the continuation of the message of hope which reached him before the vision broke, until, as the time had come, with one supreme endeavour she extended her inviting arms, and uttering the one word, “Come,” she faded away.