Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive Transcriber's Notes: 1. Page scan source: http://www.archive.org/details/astruggleforrom01dahngoog 2. The diphthong OE and oe are represented by [OE] and [oe]. 3. [=e] represents an "e" with a macron above. 4. Footnote is at the end of the book. A STRUGGLE FOR ROME. BY FELIX DAHN. _T R A N S L A T E D F R O M T H E G E R M A N_ BY LILY WOLFFSOHN. "If there be anything more powerful than Fate, It is the courage which bears it undismayed." GEIBEL. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON. 1878. [_All Rights Reserved._] A STRUGGLE FOR ROME. BOOK III.--_Continued._ THEODAHAD. CHAPTER X. On the evening of the third day after the arrival of the Gothic escort sent by Totila, Valerius had terminated his arrangements and fixed the next morning for his departure from the villa. He was sitting with Valeria and Julius at the evening meal, and speaking of the prospect of preserving peace, which was no doubt undervalued by the young hero, Totila, who was filled with the ardour of war. The old Roman could not endure the thought of seeing armed Greeks enter his beloved country. "I, too, wish for peace," said Valeria reflectively, "and yet----" "Well?" asked Valerius. "I am certain," continued the girl, "that if war broke out you would then learn to love Totila as he deserves. He would defend me and Italy---- "Yes," said Julius, "he has an heroic nature, and something still greater than that----" "I know of nothing greater!" cried Valerius. At that moment clattering footsteps were heard in the atrium, and young Thorismuth, the leader of the Gothic escort, and Totila's shield-bearer, entered abruptly. "Valerius," he said, "let the carriages be harnessed, the litters brought out; you must go at once." They all started from their seats. "What has happened? Have they landed?" "Speak," said Julius, "what do you fear?" "Nothing for myself," answered the Goth, smiling. "I did not wish to startle you sooner than was necessary. But now I dare no longer be silent. Yesterday early, the waves washed a corpse ashore----" "A corpse!" "A Goth, one of our sailors; it was Alb, the steersman of Totila's ship." Valeria grew pale, but did not tremble. "It may be an accident--the man was drowned." "No," said the Goth, "he was not drowned; hi» breast was pierced by an arrow."