Volume Ii Part 3 (2/2)
”We are saved!”
”No, Queen. Belisarius, on landing, published a manifesto. He says that he comes to punish the murderers of Amalaswintha. A high price and his favour are a.s.sured to those who give you up, alive or dead.”
Theodahad grew pale.
”Impossible!” cried Gothelindis.
”And the Goths will soon learn to whose treachery they owe the unresisted entrance of the enemy into the country. Still more. I am charged by the city of Rome, as its Prefect, to care for its well-being in this stormy time. I shall arrest you in the name of Rome, and deliver you into the hands of Belisarius.”
”That you dare not do!” cried Gothelindis, laying her hand upon her dagger.
”Peace, Gothelindis! Here there is no helpless woman to be murdered in a bath. But I will let you free--what to me matters your life or death?--at a moderate price.”
”I will grant anything!” stammered Theodahad.
”You will deliver up to me the doc.u.ments of your contract with Silverius--be silent! Do not lie! I know that you have treated with him long and secretly. Once again you have carried on a fine trade with land and people. I should like to have the bill of sale.”
”The sale is now null; the doc.u.ments without effect. Take them! They are deposited in the Basilica of St. Martin, in the sarcophagus on the left of the crypt.”
Theodahad's terror proved that he spoke the truth.
”It is well,” said Cethegus. ”All the exits of the palace are guarded by my legionaries. I will first get the doc.u.ments. If I find them in the stated place, I shall give orders to let you pa.s.s. If you then wish to fly, go to the Porta Marcus Aurelius, and name my name to the tribune of the guard, Piso; he will let you depart.”
He turned and went out, leaving the pair in a state of helpless alarm.
”What shall we do?” said Gothelindis, more to herself than to her husband. ”Shall we yield or defy them?”
”What shall we do?” repeated Theodahad impatiently. ”Defy them? that means stay here? Nonsense! Away as soon as possible. There is no safety but in flight!”
”Whither will you fly?”
”First to Ravenna--it is strong! There I will take the royal treasure.
From thence, if it must be, to the Franks. Oh, what a pity that I must leave all the moneys hidden here--many millions of solidi!”
”Here? Here, too?” asked Gothelindis, her attention suddenly aroused.
”You have treasures hidden in Rome? Where? And are they safe?”
”Ah, far too safe! In the Catacombs! I myself should be hours in finding them all in those dark labyrinths; and minutes are now death or life, and life is more than solidis! Follow me, Gothelindis, so that we may not lose a moment. I hasten to the Porta Marcus Aurelius.”
And he left the chamber.
But Gothelindis remained motionless. A thought, a plan had crossed her mind at his words. She contemplated the possibility of resistance. Her pride could not endure to renounce the government.
”Gold is power,” she said to herself, ”and power alone is life.”
Her resolution was firmly fixed. She thought of the Cappadocian mercenaries, whom the avarice of the King had driven from his service; they still remained in Rome, masterless, waiting to embark.
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