Volume Ii Part 21 (1/2)
He was about to kiss it.
But suddenly the sarcastic expression again pa.s.sed across his lips.
”Shame on thee, Cethegus!” he exclaimed, ”before Caesar's face!”
And he put the medal back into the box.
It was the head of a woman, and very like Julius.
CHAPTER VII.
Meanwhile it had become quite dark. The slave brought the pretty bronze lamp of Corinthian workmans.h.i.+p--an eagle, which carried the ball of the sun in its beak, filled with scented Persian oil.
”A Gothic warrior waits outside, sir; he wishes to speak with you alone. He looks very insignificant. Shall he lay down his arms?”
”No,” answered Cethegus. ”We do not fear the barbarians. Let him in.”
The slave went, and Cethegus laid his right hand upon the dagger in the bosom of his tunic.
A stately Goth entered, the cowl of his brown mantle drawn over his head. He now threw it back.
Cethegus started forward in astonishment.
”What leads the King of the Goths to me?”
”Softly!” said Witichis. ”No one need know what we two transact. You know that yesterday and to-day my army has entered Rome from Regeta.
You do not know that we leave Rome to-morrow!”
Cethegus looked amazed.
”It surprises you?”
”The city is secure,” said Cethegus quietly.
”Yes; but not the fidelity of the Romans. Benevento has already gone over to Belisarius. I have no wish to allow myself to be crushed between Belisarius and you.”
Cethegus was prudently silent; he did not know to what this would lead.
At last he asked:
”Wherefore are you come. King of the Goths?”
”Not to ask you how far the Romans may be trusted; and also not to complain that we can trust you so little--you, whom Theodoric and his daughter overwhelmed with benefits--but honestly and simply to arrange a few things with you, for our mutual well-being.”
Cethegus was surprised. In the proud frankness of this man lay something which he envied. He would gladly have despised it.
”We shall leave Rome,” continued Witichis, ”and shortly afterwards the Romans will admit Belisarius. It is sure to be so; I cannot hinder it.
I have been advised to take the heads of the aristocracy as hostages.”
Cethegus started, and with difficulty hid the movement.