Volume I Part 49 (2/2)
”Not you, only the barbarians.”
”These barbarians are my people; they are my only friends! I see it now, and will stand by them to the death.”
”But they will not stand by you.”
”Insolent! Out of my sight! Leave my court!”
”You will not listen? Reflect, O Queen! only on this condition can I answer for your life.”
”My people in arms shall answer for my life!”
”Hardly. For the last time I ask you----”
”Be silent! I will not give up my crown to Justinian without a struggle.”
”Well, then,” said Petros to himself, ”another must, do it. Enter!” he called aloud at the entrance.
But Cethegus alone appeared from behind the curtain.
”Where is Gothelindis? Where is Theodahad?” whispered Petros.
”I left them outside the palace. The two women hate each other too bitterly. Their pa.s.sion would spoil all.”
”You are not my good angel, Prefect of Rome,” said Amalaswintha, turning away from him gloomily, as he approached.
”This time perhaps I am,” whispered Cethegus, going close up to her.
”You have rejected the proposals from Byzantium, as I expected you would. Dismiss that false Greek.”
At a sign from the Queen, Petros retired into an ante-room.
”What would you with me, Cethegus? I trust you no longer.”
”You have trusted the Emperor instead of me, and you see the consequences.”
”I do indeed,” she answered in deep grief.
”Queen, I have never deceived you in this: that I love Italy and Rome more than the Goths. You will remember that I never concealed it from you.”
”I know it, and do not blame you.”
”My dearest wish is to see Italy free. In order to keep the Emperor off, I would uphold your government; but I tell you openly that there is now no hope of this. If you proclaim war against Byzantium, the Goths will no more obey or the Italians trust you.”
”And why not? What separates me from the Italians and my people?”
”Your own acts: two unfortunate doc.u.ments, which, are in Justinian's hands. You yourself first called his arms into Italy--a body-guard from Byzantium!”
Amalaswintha grew pale.
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