Scarcely were these finished when a messenger summoned me to the presence of the Augusta.

I followed him with a sinking heart, certain that those woes which I had foreseen were about to begin.

Also, now there was no woman in the whole world whom I less wished to see than Irene, Empress of the Earth.
I was led to the small audience chamber, whereof I have already spoken, that on the floor of which was the mosaic of the goddess Venus making pretence to kill her lover.

There I found the Augusta seated in a chair of State, the minister Stauracius, my god-father, who glowered at me as I entered, some secretaries, and Martina, my god-mother, who was the lady in attendance.
I saluted the Empress, who bowed graciously and said: "General Olaf--nay, I forgot, General Michael, your god-father Stauracius has something to say which I trust will please you as much as it does him and me.

Speak, Stauracius." "Beloved god-son," began Stauracius, in a voice of sullen rage, "it has pleased the Augusta to appoint you----" "On the prayer and advice of me, Stauracius," interrupted the Empress.
"-- --On the prayer and advice of me, Stauracius," repeated the eunuch like a talking bird, "to be one of her chamberlains and Master of the Palace, at a salary of" (I forget the sum, but it was a great one) "with all the power and perquisites to that office pertaining, in reward of the services which you have rendered to her and the Empire.