Volume Iii Part 37 (2/2)

”And you--you will be sure to be there?”

”I shall not fail. Farewell, Antonina.”

And, suddenly stepping backwards, his face still turned towards the leopard, his dagger pointed, he had gained the exit.

The leopard had waited for this moment; he moved slightly in his corner, rising slowly.

But as he reached the curtain, Cethegus once again raised his dagger and threatened him.

”Down, Dareios! the irons are hot!”

And he was gone.

The leopard laid his head upon the mosaic floor and uttered a howl of impotent fury.

CHAPTER XI.

The power and glory of Totila were now at their height. His happiness was completed by his union with Valeria.

The betrothal had just taken place in the church of St. Peter, and was solemnised by Ca.s.siodorus, a.s.sisted by Julius, now a Catholic priest, and also by an Arian minister. When Ca.s.siodorus had betrothed the daughter of his old friend to the King, and they had exchanged rings, the royal couple were led in solemn procession over the Janiculum towards the right bank of the river, and across the Theodosian and Valentinian Bridges, which were decorated with triumphal arches.

Following the course of the river, the procession entered a villa situated on an eminence overlooking the river and the campagna, and the betrothed couple took their places under a magnificent baldachin in the great hall.

There, before the a.s.sembled national army, under the golden s.h.i.+eld of the King, which was hung upon his spear, the Roman bride stepped into the right shoe of her Gothic bridegroom, while he laid his mailed right hand upon her head, which was covered with a transparent veil.

Thus the betrothal was completed according to ecclesiastical, Roman, and Germanic custom.

This ceremony over, Totila and Valeria took their seats at the centre table upon the terrace of the villa; Valeria surrounded by n.o.ble Roman and Gothic women, Totila by the dukes and earls of his army.

Grecian and Roman flute-players played and sang alternately; Roman dances followed the sword-dance of the Gothic youths. Presently, dressed in a long, white festive garment, the hem embroidered in gold, and a wreath of laurel and oak-leaves upon his head, Adalgoth stood forth in front of the royal pair, cast an inquiring look at his teacher in war and song. Earl Teja, who sat on the King's right hand, and, to the accompaniment of his harp, sang in a clear voice:

”Hear, all ye people, far and near, Hear, Byzant', to thy dole: The Gothic King, good Totila, Thrones on the Capitol/

”No more is Belisarius' name In Rome with honour decked: Of Orcus, and no more of Rome Cethegus is Prefect.

”Of what leaves shall we weave the crown For good King Totila?

Like sweetest rose upon his breast Blooms sweet Valeria.

”Peace, freedom, right, and law protect His s.h.i.+eld, his star, his sword: _Olive_, thy peaceful spray now give, Give for the peaceful Lord!

”Who carried terror and revenge?

Who bore the Grecians down?

Come, _laurel_, leaf of victory, Make rich my hero's crown!

”But his victorious strength grew not From Roma's mouldering ground: With leaves of young Germanic _oak_ Let his young head be crowned.

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