"With me. In our strong tower--there she is safe. I saw the flames. I hastened to the house. Your friend with the soft voice was carrying her out of the ruins; he wanted to take her into the church. I called to him, and persuaded him to bring her to the tower. She bleeds. A stone wounded her upon the shoulder, but there is no danger. She wishes to see you, and I came to seek you!" "Thanks, child! But come, come away;" and he took hold of her arm, and swung her up to his saddle. Trembling, she wound both arms about his neck. He held his broad shield over her head with his left hand, and galloped off with her through the smoking streets to the Porta Capuana. "Oh! would that I might die now," murmured Miriam to herself; "now, upon his breast, if not with him!" In the tower Totila found Valeria, stretched upon Miriam's bed, under the care of Julius and her female slaves. She was pale and weak from loss of blood, but composed and quiet. Totila flew to her side. Miriam stood at the window with a beating heart, and looked silently at the burning city. Totila had scarcely convinced himself that the wound was very slight, than he again sprang up and cried: "You must go! Immediately! This very moment! In another hour Belisarius may storm the city. I have once more filled my ships with fugitives. They will take you to Cajeta, and thence to Rome. Afterwards you must hasten to Taginæ to your estate. Julius will accompany you." "Yes," said Julius, "for we go the same way." "The same way? Whither art thou bound?" "To Gaul, to my home. I cannot bear to see this terrible struggle any longer. You know well that all Italy has risen against you. My fellow-countrymen fight under Belisarius. Shall I raise my hand against them, or against you? I will go." Totila turned silently to Valeria. "My friend," she said, "it seems to me that our star has set for ever! Scarcely has my father gone to lay your oath at the throne of God, than Neapolis, the third city of the realm, falls." "So you have no faith in our swords?" "I have faith in your swords, but not in your good fortune! With the falling rafters of my father's house fall all my hopes. Farewell, for a long, long time! I obey you; I will go to Taginæ." Totila and Julius now went out with the slaves to secure places in one of the triremes. Valeria rose from the bed; Miriam hurried to her to fasten the shining sandals upon her feet. "Let it alone, maiden; you must not serve me!" said Valeria. "I do it gladly," whispered Miriam; "but permit me a question." Her sparkling eyes were fixed upon Valeria's composed features. "You are beautiful and clever and proud--but tell me, do you love him? You are able to leave him at such a moment. Do you love him with devouring, irresistible ardour? do you love him with such a love as----"