Nike!' (Victoria), and this letter," Lucius
whispered just as softly. "But," and he frowned, "never again send me
to that woman!"

"No, no, young Hippolytus, I think it will never again be necessary."

They had now reached the quay of the harbour, the steps of which the
Imperial Prince was just ascending. His noble form distinguished itself
from the crowd of splendid courtiers who surrounded him, and he was
received by the troops and the people with imperial honours and cries
of joy.

Cethegus looked keenly at him.

"His pale face has become still paler," he remarked to Licinius.

"Yes. They say that the Empress, because she could not seduce him, has
poisoned him."

The Prince, bowing his acknowledgments to all sides, had now reached
Belisarius, who greeted him reverently.

"I return your greeting, Belisarius," said the Prince gravely; "follow
me at once to the palace. Where is Cethegus the Prefect? Where is
Bessas? Ah, Cethegus!" he said, grasping the latter's hand, "I am glad
to see again the greatest man in Italy. You will presently accompany me
to the granddaughter of Theodoric. To her belongs my first visit. I
bring her gifts from Justinian and my humble service. She was a
prisoner in her own kingdom; she shall be a queen at the Court of
Byzantium."

"That she shall!" thought Cethegus. He bowed profoundly and said, "I
know that you are acquainted with the Princess already. Her hand was
once destined for you."

A flush rapidly spread over the cheek of the Prince.

"But unfortunately," he answered, "not her heart. I saw her here years
ago, at her mother's court, and since then, my mind's eye has beheld
nothing but her picture."

"Yes, she is the loveliest woman on earth," said the Prefect quietly.

"Accept this chrysolite as thanks for that word!" cried Germanus, and
put a ring upon the Prefect's finger.

They entered the door of the palace. "Now, Mataswintha," said Cethegus
to himself, "now a new life begins for you. I know no Roman woman--one
girl perhaps excepted--who could resist such a temptation. And shall
this rude barbarian withstand?"

As soon as the Prince had partially recovered from the fatigue of the
voyage, and had exchanged his travelling dress for a state-costume, he
appeared, with Cethegus at his side, in the throne-room of the great
Theodoric.

The trophies of Gothic valour still hung on the walls of the lofty and
vaulted hall. On three sides ran a colonnade; in the middle of the