"Too late. The fleet of Belisarius already lies off Sicily. The proposal which you thought came from me you have rejected. Learn that the Emperor, and not I, was the propounder, and meant it as a last token of his favour." "Justinian, my friend, my protector, would thus ruin me and my kingdom!" cried Amalaswintha, who began to see the terrible truth. "Not ruin you, but save you! He will re-conquer this Italy, the cradle of the Roman Empire. This unnatural, impossible kingdom of the Goths is condemned and lost. Leave the sinking ship. Justinian reaches out to you a friendly hand, and the Empress offers you an asylum, if you will deliver Neapolis, Rome, Ravenna, and all the fortresses into the hands of Belisarius, and consent that the Goths shall be led, disarmed, over the Alps." "Wretched man! Shall I betray my people as you have betrayed me? Too late I see your schemes; I came to you for help, and you will destroy me!" "Not you, only the barbarians." "These barbarians are my people; they are my only friends! I see it now, and will stand by them to the death." "But they will not stand by you." "Insolent! Out of my sight! Leave my court!" "You will not listen? Reflect, O Queen! only on this condition can I answer for your life." "My people in arms shall answer for my life!" "Hardly. For the last time I ask you----" "Be silent! I will not give up my crown to Justinian without a struggle." "Well, then," said Petros to himself, "another must, do it. Enter!" he called aloud at the entrance. But Cethegus alone appeared from behind the curtain. "Where is Gothelindis? Where is Theodahad?" whispered Petros. "I left them outside the palace. The two women hate each other too bitterly. Their passion would spoil all." "You are not my good angel, Prefect of Rome," said Amalaswintha, turning away from him gloomily, as he approached. "This time perhaps I am," whispered Cethegus, going close up to her. "You have rejected the proposals from Byzantium, as I expected you would. Dismiss that false Greek." At a sign from the Queen, Petros retired into an ante-room. "What would you with me, Cethegus? I trust you no longer." "You have trusted the Emperor instead of me, and you see the consequences." "I do indeed," she answered in deep grief. "Queen, I have never deceived you in this: that I love Italy and Rome more than the Goths. You will remember that I never concealed it from you." "I know it, and do not blame you." "My dearest wish is to see Italy free. In order to keep the Emperor off, I would uphold your government; but I tell you openly that there is now no hope of this. If you proclaim war against Byzantium, the Goths will no more obey or the Italians trust you." "And why not? What separates me from the Italians and my people?" "Your own acts: two unfortunate documents, which, are in Justinian's hands. You yourself first called his arms into Italy--a body-guard from Byzantium!" Amalaswintha grew pale. "You know----"