"No, my Lord," said the Emperor, reaching out to stay him, and smiling pleasantly, "let us have done with ceremony. Thou hast been true servant to me—I testify it, God hearing—and now I promote thee. Be as my other self. Speak to me standing. To-morrow is my end of days. In death no man is greater than another. Tell me what thou bringest."
On his knees, the Grand Chamberlain took the steel-gloved hand nearest him, and carried it to his lips.
"Your Majesty, no servant had ever a more considerate and loving master."
An oppressive silence followed. They were both thinking the same thought, and it was too sad for speech.
"The duty Your Majesty charged me with this morning "—thus Phranza upon recovery of his composure—"I attended to."
"And you found it?"
"Even as Your Majesty had warning. The Hegumens of the Brotherhoods"—
"All of them, O Phranza?"
"All of them, Your Majesty—assembled in a cloister of the Pantocrator."
"Gennadius again!"