and as a sign of thy pardon."

But Witichis had sunk back into his former stupor.

"Oh, I beseech thee--forgive me, whatever I may have done!"

"Go--why should I not forgive thee? thou art like the rest--not better
and not worse."

"No, I am more wicked than all--and yet better. At least more
miserable. It is true that I hated thee, but only because thou hast
ever thrust me from thee. Thou wouldst not permit me to share thy life.
Forgive me!--O God! I only wish to die with thee!--give me thy hand as
a sign of pardon!"

Kneeling and beseeching, she stretched out both her hands.

The King again lifted his head. The kindness of his nature awoke within
him, and overpowered his own dull pain.

"Mataswintha," he said, lifting his chained hand, "go. I am sorry for
thee. Let me die alone. Whatever thou mayst have done--go--I forgive
thee."

"O Witichis!" breathed Mataswintha, and would have clasped his hand,
but she felt herself suddenly and violently dragged away.

"Incendiary! never shall he forgive thee! Come, Witichis!--_my_
Witichis!--follow me; thou art free!"

The King sprang up, roused to life by this voice.

"Rauthgundis! My wife! Thou hast never lied! Thou art true! at last I
have thee again!"

And, with a gasp of joy, he stretched out his arms. His wife flew to
his bosom, and tear's of delight rushed from their eyes.

But Mataswintha, who had risen, tottered to the wall. She slowly
stroked her loose red hair out of her eyes and looked at the pair, who
were illuminated by the bright moonlight from the chink in the wall.

"How he loves her! Yes, he will follow _her_! But he shall not! He
shall remain and die with me!"

"Delay no longer!" said the voice of Dromon at the door.

"Come, come quickly, my life!" cried Rauthgundis.

She drew a little key from her bosom and felt at the chains, seeking
the small opening of the lock.

"What? Shall I really breathe once more the air of freedom?" asked the
prisoner, half sinking back into his stupor.

"Yes; the free and open air!" cried Rauthgundis, and threw the loosened
chains to the ground. "Here, Witichis, here is a weapon! an axe! Take
it!"

Eagerly the Goth took the axe and weighed it in his hand.

"Ha! how the weapon strengthens my arm and soul!"

"I knew it, my brave Witichis," said Rauthgundis, kneeling down and
unlocking the chain which bound his left foot to the block of stone.
"Now step out, for thou art free!"

Witichis, raising the axe i