"Well," said Teja, "how didst thou leave him?" "The fever has left him, thanks to my herbs. He will be able to mount his horse to-morrow. But he spoke of strange things in his confused dreams--I hope that they are but dreams--else, woe to the faithful man!" Nothing more could be got out of the taciturn old man. Some hours after, Witichis sent for the three leaders. To their astonishment, they found him in full armour, although he was obliged, while standing, to support himself on his sword. On a table near him lay his crown-shaped helmet and a sceptre of white ivory, surmounted with a golden ball. The friends were startled by the impaired look of his usually so composed, handsome, and manly features. He must have gone through some fearful inward struggle. His sound, simple nature, which seemed to be all of one piece, could not endure the strife of doubtful duties and contradictory feelings. "I have summoned you," he said with great effort, "to hear and support my decision in our grave position. How heavy have been our losses in this attack?" "Three thousand dead," said Earl Teja, very gravely. "And about six thousand wounded," added Hildebrand. Witichis closed his eyes as if in pain. Then he said: "It cannot be helped, Teja. Give at once the command for a second attack!" "How! what!" cried the three leaders like one man. "It cannot be helped," repeated the King. "How many thousands hast thou brought us, Hildebad?" "Three; but they are dead tired from the march. They cannot fight to-day." "Then we will storm alone again," said Witichis, taking his spear. "King," said Teja, "we did not win a single stone of the fortress yesterday, and to-day we have nine thousand men less----" "And those not wounded are faint, their weapons and their courage broken." "We _must_ have Ravenna!" repeated Witichis. "We shall never take it by force," said Earl Teja. "We will see about that!" retorted Witichis. "I besieged the city with the great King," said Hildebrand warningly. "He stormed it in vain seventy times. We only took it by starving it--after three years." "We must attack!" cried Witichis. "Give the command." Teja was about to leave the tent. Hildebrand stopped him. "Remain," he said; "we dare not hide it from him any longer. King! the Goths murmur. To-day they would not obey thee; the attack is impossible." "Stand things so?" said Witichis bitterly. "The attack is impossible? Then only one thing remains: the course which I should have taken yesterday--then those three thousand would have been still living. Go, Hildebad, take that crown and sceptre! Go to the rebels' camp; lay them at the feet of young Arahad; tell him that he may woo Mataswintha; I and my army will greet him as our King." And, so speaking, he threw himself exhausted upon his couch. "Thou speakest feverishly again," cried Hildebrand. "That is impossible!" cried Teja.