"I invite you to come to-morrow to a feast which will surpass all that your eyes have ever beheld!"
And as Antony, with his generous smile, said that such a thing could not be possible, she replied, briefly:
"The supper alone will cost ten million sesterces."
Antony continued incredulous. This was not the first time that his beloved one had made extravagant statements.
"Let us lay a wager," she cried.
He agreed. "If I lose what shall I give you?"
She needed no time to consider. The word came to her lips as though she had often used it:
"A kingdom."
Had the wine gone to his head? Did he regard the Roman provinces merely as stakes to gamble with? He suggested Phoenicia.
Phoenicia, on whose coast lay Tyre, Gebel, Sidon, Berytus, all manufacturing towns, with their dyes, their carpets, their valuable carved furniture made from the cedars of Lebanon; and all sorts of other rich possessions! For the moment Cleopatra did not believe her ears. She thought he was jesting. But Antony's expression was serious. She saw that the offer was made in good faith. They touched their fingertips in token of agreement.