Volume Ii Part 31 (2/2)
”Then, my Gazus, the gloomy man with the angry-looking face, on the bay horse----”
”Yes, that is Belisarius, as I told you.”
”Indeed? Well--then the stately hero on his left hand, with the triumphant look--he on the charger, must be his master, the Emperor Justinian.”
”Not at all, father. _He_ sits quietly in his golden palace at Byzantium and writes laws. No; that is Cethegus, _our_ Cethegus, _my_ Cethegus, the Prefect, who gave me my sword. Yes, that _is_ a man!
Lucius, my tribune, said lately, 'If he did not allow it, Belisarius would never see a Roman Gate from the inside.'”
Antonina gave her grey palfrey a smart stroke with her silver rod, and galloped quickly through the triumphal arch.
Cethegus accompanied the commander-in-chief and his wife to the Pincian Palace, which had been sumptuously prepared for their reception.
Then he took leave, in order to a.s.sist the Byzantine generals in quartering the troops, partly on the citizens; partly in the public buildings, and partly before the gates of the city in tents.
”When you have recovered from the fatigues and honours of the day, Belisarius, I shall expect you and Antonina, with your staff, at a banquet in my house,” he had said before leaving them.
After some hours, Marcus Licinius, Piso, and Balbus appeared to fetch the invited guests.
They accompanied the litters in which Antonina and Belisarius were carried. The generals went on foot.
”Where does the Prefect live?” asked Belisarius, as he entered his litter.
”As long as you are here, by day in the Mausoleum of Hadrian, by night in the Capitol.”
Belisarius started.
The little procession approached the Capitol.
The commander-in-chief saw with astonishment all the walls and works, which had lain in ruins for more than two centuries, restored to immense strength.
When they had wound their way through the long, dark, and zigzag pa.s.sage which led into the fortress, they arrived at a ma.s.sive iron door, which was fast shut, as if in time of war.
Marcus Licinius called to the sentinel.
”Give the watch-word!” cried a voice from within.
”Caesar and Cethegus!” answered the war-tribune. Then the wings of the door sprang open; a long lane formed by Roman legionaries and Isaurian mercenaries became visible, the last clad in iron up to their very eyes, and armed with double-bladed battle-axes.
Lucius Licinius stood at the head of the Romans with drawn sword; Sandil, the Isaurian chief, at the head of his countrymen.
For one moment the Byzantines hesitated, overpowered by the impression of this display of granite and iron.
Suddenly the faintly-illumined s.p.a.ce became bright with light, and, accompanied by torch-bearers and flute-players, without armour, a wreath upon his brow, such as was generally worn by the giver of a feast, and dressed in a magnificent indoor garment of purple silk, appeared Cethegus.
He came forward smiling, and said:
”Welcome! Let flutes and trumpets loudly proclaim that the happiest hour of my life has arrived--Belisarius is _my_ guest in the Capitol!”
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