He had brought with him, though little schooled, a decided gift for song. Teja was pleased with his genius; and it was reported that he secretly taught him his superior art, though they suited each other as little as night and morning. "It is just on that account," said Teja, when his brave cousin Aligern once remarked this to him, "something must be left when the night sinks." The King felt that the only thing that could be offered to this man was in _his_ power to offer--neither gold, nor land, nor dignities. One night King Totila came to where the two bards were sitting. He followed the sounds which, arising at irregular intervals from a grove of cypresses, and interrupted by half-sung, half-spoken words, were borne to his ear by the night wind. Unnoticed and unbetrayed by the soft moonlight, Totila reached the avenue of half-wild laurels and cypresses which led into the centre of the garden. But now Teja heard the approaching footsteps, and laid aside his harp. "It is the King," he said; "I recognise his step. What seekest thou here, my King?" "I seek thee, Teja," answered Totila. Teja sprang from his seat upon a fallen column. "Then we must fight!" he exclaimed. "No," said Totila; "but I deserve this reproach." He took Teja's hand, and affectionately drew him down to his former seat, placing himself at his side. "I did not seek thy sword, Teja; I sought thyself. I need thee; not thine arm, but thy heart. No, Adalgoth; do not go. Thou mayst see--and I wish thee to see--how every one must love this proud man, the 'Black Earl.'" "I knew it," said Adalgoth, "ever since I first saw him. He is like a dark forest, through the branches of whose lofty trees blows a mysterious breach, full of terror and charm." Teja fixed his large and melancholy eyes upon the King. "My friend," began Totila, "the gracious God of Heaven has endowed me richly. I have won back a kingdom which was half-lost; shall I not be able to win back the half-lost heart of a friend? And it was to this friend's efforts that most of my success was owing; he must now help me to regain my friend. What has estranged thee from me? Forgive me if I, or my good fortune, has offended thee. I know to whom I owe my crown; but I cannot wear it with gladness if only thy sword and not thy heart be mine. We were once friends, Teja; oh! let us be so again, for I miss thee sorely!" And he would have embraced Teja, but the latter caught both his hands and pressed them to his heart.