"We may go by the same path that the army will take: the gorges of Napata: the way will be free till to-morrow." That was how Aida discovered the way the Egyptians would take, while her father listened. "Ah! I will post my men there," Amonasro cried, stepping forth into the moonlight, that Radames might see him. "Who has heard?" Radames said, with a start. "Amonasro, Aida's father, King of Ethiopia," he answered, proudly facing Radames. "Thou--thou art the King--Amonasro--Aida thy daughter! Do I dream? I have betrayed my people to thee!" He suddenly realized all that he had done, in wavering between love and duty. "No, thy people are the people of Aida. The throne is thine, to share with her." "My name will be forever branded--a coward!" He groaned in despair. "No blame to thee, son. It was thy fate; and with us thou wilt be far from these scenes that try thy heart: far away where none can reproach thee." But Radames knew that he had better die than live, knowing himself for a traitor. He determined that he would not go; that he would remain and undo the wrong that he had blindly done, but even then Aida was trying to drag him away, and urging him with each loving breath to fly with them. As he would have broken away from her, Amneris, who had heard all, ran from the Temple, crying, "Traitor!" "Destruction! She would undo us," Amonasro shouted, and as the people began to pour from the Temple, he sprang forward and would have plunged his sword through her had Radames not sprung between them. "Thou art a madman," he shouted, horrified at the deed Amonasro would have done. Meantime all was confusion. People shouted for the guard, and Radames cried to Aida: "Fly with thy father. Fly or thou art lost." His voice was so full of agony for her that she suddenly turned and fled. "Follow them," Ramphis demanded of the soldiers, while Radames said hopelessly: "Ramphis, I yield to thee." ACT IV There was no joy in the court, and Amneris sat in the vast hall of the palace between Radames's prison, on the one hand, and the hall of justice on the other, where the trial of the gallant soldier was soon to be held. He was in prison, and Aida and her father were far away. Amneris still loved him, and hoped yet to save him, and thus to win his love. Presently she called to the guard to bring him before her, and almost at once he was brought through the hall accompanied by the priests who were to try him in the underground dungeon. "Radames, the priests who are to judge thee are assembled. Consent to clear thyself. Say that thou didst not mean to betray us and I, myself, will kneel to the King, and promise you your freedom. I would give my life and power and country for thee," Amneris pleaded, as he passed before her. "I would give no less for Aida," Radames declared sadly. "I shall not try to save myself. I shall say nothing in my own defense. I wish to die." At the mention of Aida, Amneris was enraged. "I'll hear no more of her!" she cried.