"But even in this letter I recognise the irresistible intellect that, more even than your youthful beauty, conquered the women of Byzantium. And this time also I accede to the wishes of the old friend as I once did to those of the young one. Ah, how I love to think of our youth--our sweet youth! I fully understand that Antonina's spouse would stand far too securely for the future if he did not fall now. So--as you wrote me--I whispered to the Emperor that a subject who could play such a game with crowns and rebellion was too dangerous; no general ought to be exposed to such temptations. What he had this time feigned, he could, at another time, carry into earnest practice. These words weighed more heavily than all Belisarius's success, and my--that is, your--demands were granted. For mistrust is the very soul of Justinian. He trusts no one on earth, except--Theodora. Your messenger, Lucius, is _handsome_, but unamiable; he has nothing in his head but weapons and Rome. Ah, Cethegus, my friend, youth is now no more what it was! You have conquered, Cethegus--do you remember that evening when I first whispered those words?--but do not forget to whom you owe your victory. And mind: Theodora permits herself to be used as a tool only so long as she likes. Never forget that." "Certainly not," said Cethegus, as he carefully destroyed the letter. "You are too dangerous an ally, Theodora, my little demon! I will see whether you cannot be replaced.--Patience! In a few weeks Mataswintha will be in Byzantium." CHAPTER XXV. The round tower, in the deepest dungeon of which Witichis was confined, was situated at the angle of the right wing of the palace, the same in which he had dwelt and ruled as King. The iron door of the tower formed the end of a long passage which led from a court, and which was separated from this court by a heavy iron gate. Exactly opposite this gate, on the ground-floor of the building at the left side of the court, was the small dwelling of Dromon, the _carcerarius_ or gaoler of the prison. This dwelling consisted of two small chambers; the first, which was separated from the second by a curtain, was merely an ante-room. The inner chamber afforded an outlook across the court to the round tower. Both rooms were very simply furnished. A straw couch in the inner room, and two chairs, a table, and a row of keys upon the walls in the outer room, was almost all that they contained. Upon the wooden bench in the window abovementioned, sat, day and night--her eyes fixed upon the hole in the wall, through which alone light and air could penetrate to the King's prison--a silent and thoughtful woman. It was Rauthgundis. Her eyes never left the little chink in the wall, "For," she said to herself, "thither turn all my thoughts--there, where _his_ eyes too are ever fixed."