Volume I Part 22 (1/2)
There he lay upon a dark purple mantle; helm, sword, and s.h.i.+eld at his head.
Old Hildebrand had wound a wreath of oak-leaves amidst the dark locks.
The n.o.ble features reposed in pallid and earnest beauty.
At his feet, clad in a long mourning veil, sat the tall form of the Queen, supporting her head upon her left arm, which was laid upon the sarcophagus. Her right hand hung languidly down. She could weep no more.
The crackling of the burning torches was the only sound in this stillness of the grave.
Cethegus entered noiselessly, not unmoved by the poetry of the scene.
But, contracting his brows, he smothered the pa.s.sing feeling of compa.s.sion. He knew that it was necessary to be clear and composed.
He gently drew near and took Amalaswintha's relaxed hand.
”Rise, n.o.ble lady, you belong to the living, not to the dead.”
She looked up, startled.
”You here, Cethegus? What seek you here?”
”A Queen!”
”Oh, you only find a weeping mother!” she cried, sobbing.
”That I cannot believe. The kingdom is in danger, and Amalaswintha will show that even a woman can sacrifice her sorrow to the fatherland.”
”She can!” replied the Queen, rising. ”But look at him. How young! how beautiful! How could Heaven be so cruel!”
”Now, or never!” thought Cethegus, and said aloud: ”Heaven is just, severe; not cruel.”
”Of what do you speak? What wrong has my n.o.ble son committed? Do you dare to accuse him?”
”Not I! But a portion of Holy Writ has been fulfilled upon him: 'Honour thy father and mother, that thy days may be long in the land!' The commandment is also a threat. Yesterday he sinned against his mother and dishonoured her by bold rebellion--to-day he lies here. Therein I see the finger of G.o.d.”
Amalaswintha covered her face. She had heartily forgiven her son while watching beside his coffin. But still this view, these words, powerfully affected her, and drew her attention away from her grief to the well-loved habit of government.
”You wish, O Queen, to suppress my examination, and recall Witichis.
Witichis may be recalled. But I demand, as my right, that the prosecution be continued, and I fully expect a solemn acquittal.”
”I have never doubted your fidelity. Woe to me, should I be obliged to do so! Tell me that you know of no conspiracy, and all is ended.”
She seemed to expect his a.s.severation,
Cethegus was silent for a short time. Then he quietly said:
”Queen, I know of a conspiracy.”
”What say you?” cried the Queen, looking at him threateningly.
”I have chosen this hour and place,” continued Cethegus, with a glance at the corpse, ”to put a seal to my devotion, so that it may be indelibly impressed upon your heart. Hear and judge me.”