Antony sighed: "What will to-morrow bring forth?"
"Whatever happens, we have the invincible strength of being together."
Instinctively they grasped each other's hands in the darkness.
"Yes, our destinies are for ever bound together," Antony replied. Then, after a moment's hesitation: "If any disaster should occur, if either of us should ... the projectiles will rain down..."
She had imagined many possible calamities, but not that a chance blow might kill her lover. At the suggestion, she shivered.
"Antony, my beloved, do you not know that I could not live without you? I have guarded against that horror. If you die, this dagger, hidden in my girdle, will quickly put an end to me!"
In an ecstasy of almost fanatic ardour he pressed her to his heart. He kissed her hair, her mouth.
"I love you, I love you," he repeated over and over again, as though the magic words could save her from harm.
"Killed! You! But that is not possible. On the _Antoniad_ you will be out of range of the battle!"
"One never knows--we could be separated."
He could not imagine anything but death separating them. How could he live without his adored mistress, without her voice, her look? If she had her dagger ready, he had his sword!
She diverted him gently to less tragic possibilities.
"It is not only my death. One never knows what may happen to divide us."
But Antony was too wrought up to consider things calmly.
"Wherever you may be I will make a way to join you."
At last she had gained what she most desired. Let the worst come, they had exchanged vows, and she knew that at her signal her submissive lover would obey. Leave the rest to fate.
They listened silently, as though in the hope of catching some sign. Nothing, always nothing but the monotonous lapping of the waves against the keel. The stars began to grow dim. A rosy tint illumined the summit of the Othrys. Stirred by the first September breezes, the points of the great masts seemed to trace mysterious signs upon the sky. Dawn had come and the lovers must part.
"Good-bye, my beloved, until this evening," and they turned to their final preparations.
An hour later, as Antony was walking on the shore, he saw a centurion approaching, covered with scars.
"What can I do for you?" he asked, kindly.