Proudly erect, as became men who had bearded a ruler on his throne, the ambassadors passed from the Hall of Audience, leaving behind them a tempest of hate and baffled rage. Only the giant figures and sharp axes of the Varangians had stood betwixt them and death. In the inner courtyard the Guards were replaced by under-chamberlains, who hurried them through a labyrinth of unfrequented passages toward the gate. They had not proceeded very far on their way when a page slipped up and touched Hugh on the arm. "A lady must see you, Messer," he whispered. Hugh thrilled. He had not been deceived; he had read Edith's eyes aright. "How----" he started to ask. "Follow me." The boy turned and scuttled into the shadows. Hugh, after a brief hesitation, dropped out of the line and followed him. If Edith had sent for him, she must have some message she wished to give him before they were parted again by hostile arms. And with her father's influence he did not doubt she could see him safe out of the palace. Presently, they came to a door heavily curtained, and the boy stepped aside. "Enter, Messer." Hugh found himself in a room dimly lighted, carpeted and hung with Saracen rugs. He looked around him--but saw no one. Then, of a sudden, two arms stole around his neck from behind; his head was drawn back. "So you came, Hugh," a voice whispered softly. He twisted around, and caught her to him. "Edith!" Then he started back. "St. Cuthbert! 'Tis you!" Helena Comnena looked at him with eyes still moist and lustrous. Her breast rose and fell. "Are you so disappointed, Hugh?" Hugh found himself breathing no less hard. "Disappointed? Nay. Why would you make me out uncouth? But----" "But!" she mocked him. "I expected not you." "Ah, you expected not me! What----" "What right had I to suppose that the message came from you?" said Hugh. "You wrong me, lady. I am beholden to you for your kindness, but my comrades----" "They are gone! Do not trouble about them. We speak now of you and myself. Hugh, am I fair?" He regarded her, wondering. "Very fair, lady." "Is there one fairer?" "Nay, I think not." "Would you like to have me, Hugh?" She came closer to him, and it seemed as though she imparted a fluid quality to the atmosphere, as though they two existed in some impalpable, shadowy essence which must dissolve them into one. "Would you like to hold me--as you held me a moment since? Would you like to feel my arms around you--so?" Her arms went around him again, and he stood motionless, paralysed. "Would you like to feel my lips on yours--so?" Her lips burned his, clung, caressed. She threw back her head a little, and looked up at him out of bold, blazing eyes that dared and questioned. "No woman can delight you as can I, Hugh. No woman can----" Hugh fought his way blindly back to self-control. He pushed her from him. "Nay," he whispered hoarsely. "It may not be. I want you not."