Theodora turned away sighing; a shadow passed across her smooth face. "Send him away," she said; "this hope is past forever." And, for a moment, it seemed as if she would have sunk into a melancholy reverie. But she roused herself, and, beckoning to Galatea, she went back to her bed, took a crushed wreath of ivy which lay upon the pillow, and gave it to the old woman, whispering: "For Anicius, send it to him. The jewels, Erigone!" Erigone, with the help of two other slaves, brought forward, with great trouble, a heavy bronze casket, the lid of which, representing the workshop of Vulcan in embossed figures, was closed with the seal of the Empress. Erigone showed that the seal was intact, and then opened the lid. Many a girl stood upon her tiptoes to catch a glance at the shining treasures. "Will you wear the summer rings, mistress?" asked Erigone. "No," said Theodora, looking into the casket, "the time for those is over. Give me the heavy ones, the emeralds." Erigone handed to her rings, earrings, and bracelet. "How beautifully," said Antonina, looking up from her pious verses, "how beautifully the white of the pearls contrasts with the green of the stones." "It was one of Cleopatra's treasures," said the Empress indifferently; "the Jew swore to its pedigree." "But you linger long," said Antonina. "Justinian's litter was already waiting as I came up." "Yes, mistress," said a young slave anxiously, "the slave at the sundial has already announced the fourth hour. Hasten, mistress!" A prick with the lancet was the only answer. "Would you teach your Empress!" but she whispered to Antonina: "We must not spoil the men; they must always wait for us, never we for them. My ostrich fan, Thais. Go, Ione, tell the Cappadocian slaves to come to my litter." And she turned to go. "Oh, Theodora!" cried Antonina quickly, "do not forget my request." "No," answered Theodora, suddenly standing still, "certainly not! And that you may be quite sure, I will give the order into your own hands. My wax-tablets and the stylus!" Galatea brought them in haste. Theodora wrote, and whispered to her friend: "The Prefect of the harbour is one of my old friends. He blindly obeys me. Read what I write." "To Aristarchus the Prefect, Theodora the Empress. "When Severinus, the son of Boëthius, is about to go on board the ship of Belisarius, keep him back, if necessary, by force; and send him to my rooms. He is appointed my chamberlain." "Is that right, dear sister?" she whispered. "A thousand thanks!" said Antonina, with beaming eyes. "But," said the Empress suddenly, putting her hand to her neck, "have we forgotten the principal thing? My amulet! the Mercury. Please, Antonina; there it hangs." Antonina turned hastily to fetch the little golden Mercury, which hung, by a silk cord, on the bed of the Empress.