ristians, and do not know that demons are
immortal?" asked Teja.

"They may be," said the King, "but so are angels!" and, with a frown on
his brow, he continued: "Up, my brave Teja! now there is new work for
thy sword. Hear it, Duke Guntharis, Wisand, Grippa, Markja, Thorismuth,
and Aligern--I shall soon have enough to do for you all. You have heard
that Emperor Justinian refuses to make peace, and will not leave us in
quiet possession of Italy. It is evident that he considers us inclined
to peace at any cost. He thinks it can never hurt him to have us for
enemies; that in the worst case we shall quietly await his attack in
Italy; that Byzantium will always be able to choose the moment,
repeating it until successful. Well--we will show him that we can
become dangerous! That it might be wiser to leave us Italy, and not
irritate us! He will not let us enjoy our kingdom? Then, as in the
days of Alaric and Theodoric, he shall again see the Goths in his
own country! At present only this--for secrecy is the mother of
victory--we will reach the heart of the Eastern Empire as we once
reached Rome--on canvas wings and wooden bridges.--Now, Justinianus,
protect thine own hearth-stone!"

CHAPTER V.

Soon after the Emperor's refusal of the proposals of the Goths had
arrived in Rome, we find--in the dining-room of a simple but
tastefully-built and furnished house upon the Forum Strategii at
Byzantium, which, close to the incomparable shore of the Golden
Horn, affords a view of the Straits and of the splendid suburb
"Justiniana"--two men engaged in confidential talk.

The master of the house was our old--and, we hope, not
unloved--acquaintance Procopius, who now lived much respected as a
senator in Byzantium.

He zealously attended to the wants of his guest, but in doing so used
his left hand. His right arm ended in a covered stump.

"Yes," he was saying, "at every moment I am reminded by my missing hand
of a folly. I do not, however, repent it. I should do the same thing
again even if it cost me my eyesight. It was a folly of the heart, and
to be capable of that is the greatest happiness. I have never been able
really to love a woman. My only love was and is--Belisarius! I know
very well--you need not draw down the corners of your mouth so
contemptuously, friend--I see very clearly the weaknesses and
imperfections of my hero. But that is exactly what is sweet in a
heart-folly--to love t