Volume Iii Part 1 (2/2)
”Without reason? Impossible!”
”A ridiculous reason! Yesterday the term of my office expired.”
”Well?”
”And Bessas declares that since midnight I am no longer his commander!”
”Shameful! But he is in the right.”
”In the right! In a few days the Emperor's reply will arrive, according to my wish. He will naturally, after the conquest of Ravenna, again appoint me as commander-in-chief, until the war is ended. The news may be here the day after to-morrow.”
”Perhaps still sooner, Belisarius. At sunset the watchman on the lighthouse of Cla.s.sis announced the approach of a s.h.i.+p coming from Ariminum. It appears to be an imperial trireme. It may run into harbour at any hour. Then the knot will be loosened.”
”I will cut it beforehand. My body-guard shall storm the trenches and strike the head off the obstinate Bessas----”
He was interrupted by the entrance of Johannes.
”General,” he cried, ”the Emperor is here! The Emperor, Justinian himself, has just anch.o.r.ed in the harbour of Cla.s.sis.”
Cethegus involuntarily started. Was such a thunderbolt from a clear sky, such a whim of the incalculable despot, after such toil, to overthrow the almost perfect structure of his plans?
But Belisarius, with sparkling eyes, asked:
”The Emperor? How do you know?”
”He comes himself to thank you for your victory--never was such honour done to mortal man! The s.h.i.+p from Ariminum bears the imperial flag--purple and silver. You know that that indicates the actual presence of the Emperor.”
”Or of a member of his family,” interposed Cethegus thoughtfully, and once more breathing freely.
”Let us hasten to the harbour, to receive our Imperial master,” cried Belisarius.
He was disappointed in his joy and pride when, on their way to Cla.s.sis, they were met by the first courtiers who had disembarked, and who demanded quarters in the palace, not for the Emperor, but for his nephew Germa.n.u.s.
”At least he sends the next in rank,” said Belisarius--consoling himself--to Cethegus as they went on. ”Germa.n.u.s is the n.o.blest man at court. Just, incorruptible, and pure. They call him 'The Lily of the Swamp.' But you do not listen to me!”
”Pardon! but I saw my young friend Lucius Licinius in the crowd of people who are approaching us.”
”Salve, Cethegus!” cried Lucius as he made his way to the Prefect.
”Welcome to free Italy! What news from the Empress?” asked Cethegus in a whisper.
”Her parting word, 'Nike!' (Victoria), and this letter,” Lucius whispered just as softly. ”But,” and he frowned, ”never again send me to that woman!”
”No, no, young Hippolytus, I think it will never again be necessary.”
They had now reached the quay of the harbour, the steps of which the Imperial Prince was just ascending. His n.o.ble form distinguished itself from the crowd of splendid courtiers who surrounded him, and he was received by the troops and the people with imperial honours and cries of joy.
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