Volume Ii Part 70 (2/2)
”Whither goest thou?” asked the slave, astonished.
Mataswintha drew her veil closely over her face as she answered:
”To the King!”
When she reached the antechamber of the King's apartments, the door-keeper, who recognised her with amazement, begged her to wait a moment.
”An amba.s.sador from Belisarius has been admitted to a private audience.
He has been in the room already for some time, and no doubt will soon leave it.”
Just then the door of the King's apartment was opened, and Procopius stood hesitating upon the threshold.
”King of the Goths,” he said, as he once again turned round, ”is that your last word?”
”My last; as it was my first,” answered the King, with dignity.
”I will give you time--I will remain in Ravenna till to-morrow----”
”From this moment you are welcome as a guest, but not as an amba.s.sador.”
”I repeat: if the city be taken by storm, all the Goths who are taller than the sword of Belisarius--he has sworn it--will be killed! The women and children will be sold into slavery. You understand that Belisarius will suffer no barbarians in _his_ Italy. The death of a hero may be tempting to you, but think of the helpless people--their blood will accuse you before the throne of G.o.d----”
”Amba.s.sador, you, as well as we, are in G.o.d's hand. Farewell.”
And these words were uttered with such majesty, that the Byzantine was obliged to go, however reluctantly.
The simple dignity of the King had had a strong effect upon him; but still more upon the listening Queen.
As Procopius slowly shut the door, he saw Mataswintha standing before him, and started back, dazzled by her great beauty. He greeted her reverently.
”You are the Queen of the Goths!” he said. ”You must be she.”
”I am,” said Mataswintha. ”Would that I had never forgotten it!”
And she pa.s.sed him with a haughty step.
”These Germans, both men and women,” said Procopius, as he went out, ”have eyes such as I have never seen before!”
CHAPTER XIX.
Meanwhile, Mataswintha had entered her husband's presence unannounced.
Witichis had left untouched all the rooms which had been occupied by the Amelungs--Theodoric, Athalaric, and Amalaswintha--and had appropriated to his own use the apartments which he had formerly been accustomed to inhabit when on duty at court.
He had never a.s.sumed the gold and purple trappings of the Amelungs, and had banished from his chamber all the pomp of royalty.
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