Presently she threw off her veil, and in the light of the lamp showed that I stood before the Empress Irene.
"Olaf," she said hoarsely, "I am come here to save you from yourself, if it may be so.

I was hidden in yonder Court, and heard all that passed at your trial." "I guessed as much, Augusta," I said, "but what of it ?" "For one thing, this: The coward and fool, who now is dead--of his wounds--who gave evidence as to the killing of the three other cowards by you, has caused my name to become a mock throughout Constantinople.
Aye, the vilest make songs upon me in the streets, such songs as I cannot repeat." "I am grieved, Augusta," I said.
"It is I who should grieve, not you, who are told of as a man who grew weary of the love of an Empress, and cast her off as though she were a tavern wench.

That is the first matter.

The second is that under the finding of the Court of Justice----" "Oh! Augusta," I interrupted, "why stain your lips with those words 'of justice'!" "-- --Under the finding of the Court," she went on, "your fate is left in my hands.

I may kill you or torment your body.