When you turn your head again there will be no Empress to trouble you, except one of your own choosing." On hearing these words, and seeing the swords draw near, Irene clutched hold of me, for always she feared death above everything.
"You will not see me butchered ?" she gasped.
"Not while I live," I answered.

"Hearken, friends.

I am the general of the Augusta's guard, and if she dies, for honour's sake I must die first.

Strike, then, if you will, but through my body." "Tear her away!" called a voice.
"Comrades," I went on, "be not so mad.

To-night we have done that which has earned us death, but while the Empress lives you have a hostage in your hands with whom you can buy pardon.