Everything must be done before the return of Antony, who was daily expected.

Alexas's lavish patron had made him so rich that he could bear to lose his favour for the sake of this object.

Even without it, he could maintain a household with royal magnificence in some city of his Syrian home.
On receiving the favourite's assurance that he would remove Barine from Charmian's protection on the morrow, Iras became more gracious.

She could make no serious objection to his statement that the new trial might not, it is true, end in a sentence of death, but the verdict would probably be transportation to the mines, or something of the sort.
Then Alexas cautiously tested Iras's feelings towards his brother's mortal foe.

They were hostile; yet when the favourite intimated that he, too, ought to be given up to justice, she showed so much hesitation, that Alexas stopped abruptly and turned the conversation upon Barine.
Here she promised assistance with her former eager zeal, and it was settled that the arrest should be made the following morning during the hours of Charmian's attendance upon the Queen.
Iras had valuable counsel to offer.