"Let them come!" said Mataswintha. "We will see if they can force me!" And she pressed the dagger which she carried in her girdle to her heart. "Who is the new despot who threatens me?" "Do not ask!" cried Arahad. "Thy enemy, who is not worthy of thee; who does not love thee; he--but follow me--fly! They already approach!" Horses' hoofs were heard outside. "I remain! Who can force the will of the grandchild of Theodoric?" "No; thou shalt not, must not, fall into the hands of those heartless men, who value neither thee nor thy beauty, but only thy right to the crown. Follow me----" At this moment the curtain at the entrance of the tent was pushed aside. Earl Teja entered. Two Gothic boys, dressed in festive garments of white silk, followed him; they bore a purple cushion, covered with a veil. Teja advanced to the middle of the tent, and kneeled before Mataswintha. He, like the boys, wore a green spray of rue round his helmet. But his eyes and brow were gloomy, as he said: "I greet thee. Queen of the Goths and Italians!" Mataswintha looked at him amazed. Teja rose, went up to the boys, took a golden circlet and a green wreath of rue from the cushion, and said: "I give thee the bridal wreath and the crown, Mataswintha, and invite thee to the wedding and coronation; the litter awaits thee." Arahad laid his hand on his sword. "Who sends thee?" asked Mataswintha, with a beating heart, but her hand upon her dagger. "Who but Witichis, the King of the Goths?" On hearing this a ray of ineffable joy shone from Mataswintha's beautiful eyes. She raised both hands to heaven and cried: "Thanks, O heaven! Thy stars and my true heart are not belied. I knew it!" She took the coronet into her white hands and pressed it firmly upon her golden hair. "I am ready," she said. "Lead me to thy master and mine." And she majestically held out her hand to Earl Teja, who reverently led her out of the tent. But Arahad looked after her in speechless wonder as she disappeared, his hand still upon his sword. He was roused by the entrance of Eurich, one of his followers, who came up to him, and laying his hand upon his shoulder, asked: "What now? The horses stand and wait. Whither?" "Whither?" exclaimed Arahad, starting; "whither? There is only one way, and that we will take. To the Byzantines and death!" CHAPTER II. In the peaceful light of late afternoon shone the chapel and convent which Valerius had built in order to release his daughter from the service of the Church. It was situated at the foot of the Apennines, to the northeast of Perusia and Asisum, and to the south of Petra and Eugubium, upon a rocky precipice above the little town of Taginæ. The cloister, built of the dark red stone of the neighbourhood, enclosed in its quadrangle a quiet garden, green with shrubberies.