And, much agitated, he paced the room with long strides, even forgetting to bow before the Cross.
"A life-guard! that she shall have! But not a few thousand men; many thousands--more than she will like; and you, Belisarias, shall lead them."
"Deign to look at the presents," said Alexandros, pointing to a costly shrine of cypress-wood, inlaid with gold, which a slave had set down behind him. "Here is the key."
And he held out a little box of tortoise-shell, which was closed with the Queen's seal.
"Her picture is there too," he said, raising his voice as if by accident.
At the moment in which Alexandros raised his voice, the head of a woman was protruded gently and unnoticed through the curtain, and two sparkling black eyes looked keenly at the Emperor.
Justinian opened the shrine, quickly pushed aside its costly contents, and hastily caught up a simple tablet of polished box-wood, with a small golden frame.
A cry of astonishment involuntarily burst from his lips, his eyes sparkled, and he showed the picture to Belisarius.
"A splendid woman! What majesty on her brow! One sees that she is a born ruler--a king's daughter!" and he gazed admiringly at the noble features.
The curtain rustled, and the listener entered.