They were just about to leave the room where they had told him of their intentions, when suddenly the uproar made by the populace--who were crowding before the palace--became louder and more violent; threats, cries of exultation, and the clatter of arms arose promiscuously. Cethegus threw back the curtain of the large bay-window, but he only saw the last of the crowd pressing through the open gates of the palace. It was not possible to discover the cause of this excitement. Already the uproar was ascending the staircase of the palace. The noise of altercations with the attendants was audible; the clash of weapons; and soon approaching and heavy footsteps. Amalaswintha did not tremble; she tightly grasped the dragon's head which decorated the throne-seat, to which Cassiodorus had again led her. Meanwhile Cethegus hurried to meet the intruders. "Halt!" he called from the threshold of the chamber. "The Queen is visible for no one." For one moment there was complete silence. Then a powerful voice called out: "If for thee, Roman, also for us, for her Gothic brethren. Forwards!" And again the roar of voices arose, and in a moment Cethegus, without the application of any particular violence, was pushed by the press, as if by an irresistible tide, into the farthest corner of the hall, and the foremost intruders stood close before the throne. They were Hildebrand, Witichis, Teja, a gigantic Goth, unknown to Cethegus, and near this last--there was no doubt about it--the three dukes, Thulun, Ibba, and Pitza, in full armour--three splendid warriors. The intruders bowed before the throne. Then Duke Thulun called to those behind him, with the gesture of a born ruler: "Goths, wait yet a short time without! We will try; in your name, to adjust things with the Queen. If we do not succeed, we will call upon you to act--you know in what manner." With a shout of applause, the crowd behind him willingly withdrew, and were soon lost in the outer passages and halls of the palace. "Daughter of Theodoric," began Duke Thulun, "we are come because thy son, the King, recalled us. Unfortunately we find he is no more alive. We know that thou hast no delight in seeing us here." "If you know it," said Amalaswintha with dignity, "how dare you, notwithstanding, appear before our eyes? Who allows you to intrude upon us against our will?" "Necessity enjoins it, Highness--necessity, which has often forced stronger bolts than the whims of a woman. We have to announce to thee the demands of thy people, which thou wilt fulfil." "What language! Knowest thou before whom thou standest, Duke Thulun?" "Before the daughter of the Amelungs; whose child I honour, even when she errs and transgresses!" "Rebel!" cried Amalaswintha, and rose indignantly from her throne. "Thy _King_ stands before thee!" But Thulun smiled.