n his right hand, made a step toward the
door.

"And _she_ is permitted to loose his chains!" whispered Mataswintha.

"Yes, free!" cried Witichis, drawing a deep breath. "Come, Rauthgundis,
let us go!"

"He goes with _her_!" screamed Mataswintha, and cast herself before the
pair. "Witichis--farewell--but tell me once more--that thou hast
forgiven me!"

"Forgiven thee!" cried Rauthgundis. "Never--never! She has destroyed
our kingdom--she has betrayed thee! It was no lightning--it was her
hand which kindled the granaries!"

"Ha--then be thou accursed!" cried Witichis. "Away, away from this
serpent!" and, thrusting Mataswintha violently away, he crossed the
threshold, followed by Rauthgundis.

"Witichis," screamed Mataswintha, dragging herself up--"stay--stay!
Hear one word--Witichis!"

"Be silent," said Dromon, grasping her arm. "You will alarm the guard!"

But Mataswintha, now no more mistress of herself, ran up the steps into
the passage. "Stay, Witichis--stay!" she screamed. "Thou canst not
leave me thus!" and fell fainting to the earth.

Dromon hurried past her, and followed the fugitives.

But the shrill cries of Mataswintha had already reached the ear of one
who ever slept lightly. Cethegus, his sword in his hand, and only half
dressed, came out of his chamber into the gallery which looked over the
square court of the palace.

"Guards!" he cried. "To arms!"

The soldiers were already astir.

Scarcely had Witichis, Rauthgundis, and Dromon left the passage and
safely reached the dwelling of the latter, when six Isaurian
mercenaries rushed noisily into the passage.

Quick as thought Rauthgundis ran out of the house to the heavy iron
door, shut it, turned the key, and took it out.

"Now they can do no harm," she whispered.

The husband and wife presently hastened from Dromon's house to the
great gate which led from the court into the street. The single
sentinel who had remained behind stopped them and demanded the
watchword. "Rome," he cried, "and----"

"Revenge!" cried Witichis, and struck him down with the axe.

The sentinel screamed and fell, hurling his spear at the fugitives. It
pierced the last of the three--Dromon.

As Witichis and Rauthgundis rushed down the marble stairs of the palace
into the street, they heard the imprisoned soldiers thundering at the
strong iron door, and a loud voice calling: "Syphax, my horse!" Then
they disappeared into the darkness.

A few minutes later the cou