Volume Ii Part 68 (2/2)
Procopius was startled at the bold and daring plans of the Prefect, and for some time refused to enter into them. But the genius of the man held him fast, overcame every objection before it was expressed, and at last he was so entangled in an inextricable network of argument, that he lost all power of resistance.
The stars were pale, and the dawn illumined the east with a grey stripe of light, when Procopius took leave of his friend.
”Cethegus,” he said, rising, ”I admire you. If I were not the historian of Belisarius, I should like to be yours.”
”It would be more interesting,” said the Prefect quietly, ”but more difficult.”
”But,” continued Procopius, ”I cannot help shuddering at the biting acrimony of your spirit. It is a sign of the times in which we live. It is like a poisonous but brilliant flower in a swamp. When I recollect how you have ruined the Gothic King by means of his own wife----”
”I have something to tell you about that. Lately I have heard very little from my fair ally----”
”Your ally? Your ways are----”
”Always practical.”
”But not always---- But never mind. I am with you--for yet a little while, for I wish to get my hero out of Italy as soon as possible. He shall gather laurels in Persia instead of thorns here. But I will only go with you as far----”
”As it suits you, of course.”
”Enough! I will at once speak with Antonina. I do not doubt of success.
She is tired to death here. She burns with desire, not only to see many an old friend in Byzantium, but also to ruin the enemies of her husband.”
”A good bad wife!”
”But Witichis? Do you think he will believe a rebellion on the part of Belisarius possible?”
”King Witichis is a good soldier, but a poor psychologist. I know a much cleverer man, who yet, for a moment, believed it possible.
Besides, you will bring proofs in writings and just now, forsaken as he is by the Franks--the water is up to his neck--he will s.n.a.t.c.h at any straw. Therefore I, also, do not doubt of success. Only make sure of Antonina----”
”That shall be my care. At mid-day I hope to enter Ravenna as an amba.s.sador.”
”Good--and do not forget to speak to the lovely Queen.”
CHAPTER XVIII.
At mid-day Procopius rode into Ravenna.
He carried with him four letters: the letter of Justinian to Belisarius, the letters of the King of the Franks to Cethegus and Belisarius, and a letter from Belisarius to Witichis.
This last had been written by Procopius and dictated by Cethegus.
The amba.s.sador had no suspicion of the mood in which he should find the King of the Goths and his beautiful Queen.
The healthy but simple mind of the King had begun to darken, if not to despair, under the pressure of continual misfortune. The murder of his only child, the terrible wrench of parting from his beloved wife, had shaken him to the very soul; but he had borne it all in the hope of securing victory to the Goths.
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