"I am not the king!" Hephæstion exclaimed, hastily stepping back.
"I am blinded by my sorrow!" Sisygambis replied, turning to Alexander in confusion. "Pardon me, I pray thee, in the name of thy own mother, Olympias!"
Alexander stooped and raised her gently by the hand.
"Thy son lives," he said. "Be not alarmed that you mistook my friend for me, for Hephæstion is also an Alexander."
Sisygambis looked earnestly into the boyish face before her.
"Is Darius still alive?" she asked beseechingly. "Is it true? I am his mother. Do not deceive me!"
"He is alive and he is free," the young king replied. "He escaped into Syria."
With a cry of joy, Statira rose from among her women, clasping in her hand the chubby fist of her child. The heavy masses of her dark hair framed a face of pure oval. The color flooded her cheeks, and her eyes shone in fathomless depths of mystery and life. As his glance met hers, Alexander was conscious of a thrill such as he had never felt before. His pulses were disturbed, and he felt his face flush. With an effort he mastered the unaccustomed emotion.
"Alexander does not make war upon women," he said quietly. "For your own sakes, I must carry you with me; but you are as safe as though you were still in your palace in Babylon. Your household shall remain with you. Command as freely as you did yesterday, and fear nothing."
"How shall we repay you?" Statira exclaimed, attempting to kneel at his feet.