e singular figures, and even the Goths could not but admire the
wondrously fair complexion and the singularly light and sparkling eyes
of these northerners.

"As the black hero who received me," began the Viking, "assures me that
he is not the King, then no other can be he but thou," and he gave his
hand to Totila, first pulling off his fighting-glove of shark's skin.

"Welcome to the Tiber, my cousins from Thuleland!" cried Totila, as he
raised his cup and pledged his guests.

Seats were quickly prepared, and the royal visitors took their places
at the King's table; their followers at the table near them. Adalgoth
poured out wine from tall, two-handled jugs.

King Harald drank, and looked wonderingly around.

"By Asathor!" he cried; "but it is beautiful here!"

"Such I imagine Walhalla to be!" said his companion.

The Goths and the northerners could scarcely understand each other.

"If it pleases thee so well, brother," Totila slowly said, "then rest
amongst us with thy wife for some time."

"Ho-ho! Rome-King!" laughed the giantess, and tossed back her head so
suddenly, that the waves of her red hair shook.

The falcon flew screaming up, and circled round her head three times.
It then quietly returned to her shoulder.

"The man has not yet been born," continued the Amazon, "who could
conquer Haralda's heart and hand. Harald alone, my brother, can bend my
arm, and spring and hurl his spear farther than I."

"Patience, my little sister! I trust that soon a man of marrow will
master thy coy maidenhood. This King here, although he looks as mild as
Baldur, yet resembles Sigurd, the vanquisher of Fafner. You shall vie
with each other in hurling the spear."

Haralda cast a long look at the Gothic King, blushed, and pressed a
kiss upon her falcon's smooth head.

But Totila said:

"Evil befell, as the singers tell us, when Sigurd strove with the
Amazon. Rather let woman greet woman in peace. Give thy hand, Haralda,
to my bride."

And he signed to Valeria, to whom Duke Guntharis had very imperfectly
translated what was said.

Valeria rose with graceful dignity. She wore a long white Roman-Grecian
garment, which hung in soft folds, and was confined at the waist by a
golden girdle, and upon the shoulder with a cameo brooch. Bound her
nobly-shaped head was bound a branch of laurel, which Totila had taken
from Adalgoth's wreath to fasten into her black hair. Her beauty, and
the rhythm of her movements and the fo