She poked him with a painted fingernail.

"Antony! wake up!"

He came back to the present and smiled. "Ah... I was a million miles away."

"Back in Alexandria with your fat general, Gabinius?"

He smiles and lied. "Yes...with Gabinius." He sat up and looked at her and his smile faded.

“Now then, you were going to say something?”

"I am afraid I have some news to tell you, something I think may not be to your liking."

"She smiled and picked up her wine goblet. “Nothing could be bad news today. Not with you here to entertain me with the charm of your presence. What is it, some delicious gossip?"

"Some gossip has swirled around it, and Caesar, and you." He reached out and took her hand boldly. She laughed.

"Oh, is it so bad that you must to hold my hand? Come now; tell me, what is it?"

He dropped his head but kept his eyes on her. "Cleopatra, Caesar is to be married to Matia."

There was only the slightest perception of a quiver in her smile as she held it fixed in place upon her lovely face. She said nothing as slowly she untangled her hand from his, her eyes shifted slowly to the prow of the ship. She saw the late afternoon sun glinting on the river ahead of her. A hawk circled above the river and gave out a plaintive cry. It it's call her smile slipped slightly. She readjusted it and looked back at him.

"Caesar...to be married?"

"Yes...to me married. It is a political marriage to cement…"

"Is she from a good family, a noble one? I know that matters to Caesar."

"Yes, very noble."

Cleopatra's smile became softer.

"Is she beautiful?"

"Some would say yes, but compared to..."

"Don't say that I am more beautiful. I have a face....like any woman. Beauty is of no significance now."

Again she looked south along the course of the river that lead to the sea. His eyes followed hers and in an instant he understood what this all meant to her and what she was going to do about it.

"Perhaps I should leave you now." He said softly.

She did not look at him but kept her eyes on the river.

She spoke so softly that it broke his heart to hear her voice and the pain within it. (And Antony was not easily moved by a woman thus.)

"Yes, I am a bit tired and need to rest."

"May I come to see you again?"

At last she looked at him. "Are you a good swimmer?"