But Felicitas could not utter a word; she could only direct her eyes, swimming in tears, towards her preserver. She had not appeared so beautiful even in the night. "Thanks!" laughed Liuthari, "I fought for my life. But listen! who comes here?" The steps of armed men were heard in the garden, and there entered, accompanied by five followers, Garibrand the Duke. "A good piece of work have you two done out there before the entrance. The Tribune, whom we have sought everywhere, he fell certainly by thy hand. I have found thee at last, young hero! Welcome news I bring thee. A messenger from thy father is seeking thee. The Roman fortress on the Regan stream has fallen. My cousin, Duke Agilolf, and thy father, have settled the betrothal: Agilolf invites thee to his halls. Adalagardis, the most beautiful princely daughter of the Germans, is awaiting thee." "Hail to thee, thou son of my king! this is thy reward for this night," cried Haduwalt. "Betrothal! I have never seen her!" cried Liuthari, hesitating. "Betrothal! yes, if you please each other," said the Duke. "_He_ will certainly please _her_." said Haduwalt, clapping the blushing youth on the shoulder; "and I hope," whispered he quietly in his ear, "that _she_, the beauty whom thou _mayest_ love, will right well please _thee_." "Choose now," continued the Duke, "what thou wilt of the booty. To you Alemanni, to thee above all, do we owe the victory." "I will follow thee," said Liuthari, rising hastily. "Help me, old friend!" The armour-master helped him to buckle on his breastplate; the young man raised the beautifully-shaped Roman helmet with the towering heron's plume to his head. Magnificent stood the king's son, his joyful countenance radiant with the noblest sentiments. "Oh, now all is well," rejoiced Fulvius. "The Tribune is slain; Zeno the usurer is dead, murdered by an unknown hand, without doubt by his slaves, so Johannes tells me. There is no longer an Emperor in Ravenna; we were assured of this yesterday morning by this young hero. Now am I free from all debts to the Fiscus." "And no less do I assure thee," laughed Liuthari, "that this powerful Duke here has stepped into the Emperor's place--_his_ debtor art thou now." Fulvius anxiously put his hand to his right ear, and looked dismayed at the mighty man. "Fear not," continued Liuthari. "I ask, Duke Garibrand, as a part of my share of the booty, this villa and the land belonging to it. And free from all debt." "It shall be as thou hast said," answered the Bajuvaren. "And to you both, Fulvius and Felicitas, I give this free property, before these seven free men as witnesses. Their oath will be of service to you if anyone should contest your right and warrant." "Thanks, sir; thanks." "Thou art, then, Fulvius the stone-mason?" interposed the Duke. "The priest Johannes commended thee to me as faithful and brave; if thou dost prove thyself so, I will place thee as steward over my lands outside this gate."