Thank the Empress for her gracious favour." "Nay," interrupted Irene again, "thank your beloved god-father Stauracius, who has given me no peace until I offered you this preferment which has suddenly become vacant, Stauracius alone knows why, for I do not.

Oh! you were wise, Olaf--I mean Michael--to choose Stauracius for a god-father, though I warn him," she added archly, "that in his natural love he must not push you forward too fast lest others should begin to show that jealousy which is a stranger to his noble nature.

Come hither, Michael, and kiss my hand upon your appointment." So I advanced and, kneeling, kissed the Augusta's hand, according to custom on such occasions, noting, as doubtless Stauracius did also, that she pressed it hard enough against my lips.

Then I rose and said: "I thank the Augusta----" "And my god-father Stauracius," she interrupted.
"-- --And my god-father Stauracius," I echoed, "for her and his goodness towards me.

Yet with humility I venture to say that I am a soldier who knows nothing whatsoever of the duties of a chamberlain and of a Master of the Palace, and, therefore, I beg that someone else more competent may be chosen to fill these high offices." On hearing these words Stauracius stared at me with his round and owl-like eyes.