A Struggle for Rome, v. 1

  "Would you avenge that ghost? Yes. Would you ruin the Goths? Yes.Therefore you must consent to everything which will lead to this end."

  "Never, by my oath!"

  "Woman, do not irritate me, do not oppose me! You know me. By youroath? Have you not sworn blind and unconditional obedience to me,calling down curses on yourself and your children should you break thatoath? Caution is necessary when dealing with women! Obey, or tremblefor your soul!"

  "Fearful man! Shall I sacrifice all my hatred to you and yourprojects?"

  "To me? who speaks of me? I plead _your_ cause, I complete _your_revenge. The Goths have done nothing to _me_. _You_ disturbed me frommy books, _you_ called upon me to aid you in destroying these Amelungs;do you repent? Very well. I will return to Horatius and the Stoics.Farewell!"

  "Remain, remain! But must Camilla be sacrificed?"

  "Folly! Athalaric will be the victim. She shall not love him, she shallonly influence him--or," he added, looking sharply at her, "do you fearfor her heart?"

  "May your tongue be paralysed! _My_ daughter love _him_! Rather would Istrangle her with these hands!"

  But Cethegus had become thoughtful. "It is not for the girl's sake," hethought, "that would not matter--but should she really love him?--theGoth is handsome, intellectual, enthusiastic--Where is your daughter?"he asked aloud.

  "In the women's apartment. Even should I wish it, she will neverconsent--never!"

  "We will attempt it. I will go to her."

  And they went into the house.

  Rusticiana would have entered the room with Cethegus, but he repulsedher.

  "I must have her alone," he said, and passed through the curtain.

  On seeing him, the beautiful girl rose from the cushions on which shehad been resting, lost in helpless reverie. Accustomed to find in thiswise and commanding man, her father's old friend, a constant adviser,she greeted him trustfully, as a patient greets his physician.

  "You know, Cethegus?"

  "Everything!"

  "And you bring me help and comfort?"

  "I bring you revenge, Camilla!"

  That was a new and startling idea! Hitherto to fly, to save herselffrom this torturing position, had been her only thought. At the most,an angry rejection of the royal gift. But now, revenge! Compensationfor all the pain she had suffered! Revenge upon the murderers of herfather! Her heart was deeply wounded, and in her veins boiled the hotblood of the south. She rejoiced at the words of her tempter.

  "Revenge? Who will revenge me? You?"

  "You will revenge yourself; that will be sweeter."

  Her eyes flashed.

  "On whom?"

  "On him. On his house. On all your enemies."

  "How can I, a weak and timid girl?"

  "Listen to me, Camilla. To you only, to the noble daughter of the nobleBoethius, will I unfold what I would trust to no other woman on earth.There exists a powerful league of patriots, who have sworn to extirpatethe barbarians from the face of this country. The sword of revengehangs trembling over the heads of the tyrants. The fatherland and theshade of your father call upon you to cause it to fall."

  "Upon me? _I_--revenge my father? Speak!" cried the maiden, her faceglowing as she stroked back the dark locks from her temples.

  "There must be a sacrifice. Rome demands it."

  "My blood, my life! Like Virginia will I die!"

  "No; you shall live to triumph in your revenge. The King loves you. Youmust go to Ravenna, to court. You shall destroy him by means of hislove. We have no power over him, but you will gain the mastery over hissoul."

  "Destroy him!"

  She seemed strangely moved as she spoke thus in a low voice. Her bosomheaved; her voice trembled with the force of her opposing feelings.Tears burst from her eyes, she buried her face in her hands.

  Cethegus rose from his seat.

  "Pardon me," he said, "I will go. I knew not--that you _loved_ theKing."

  A scream of anger, like that of physical pain, escaped the maiden'slips; she sprang up and grasped his arm.

  "Man! who said so? I hate him! Hate him more than I ever knew I couldhate!"

  "Then prove it, for I do not believe it."

  "I will prove it!" she cried; "he shall die!"

  She threw back her head; her eyes sparkled fiercely; her dark tressesfell over her shoulders.

  "She loves him," thought Cethegus; "but it matters not, for she doesnot know it. She is only conscious of hating him. All is well."

  "He shall not live," repeated Camilla. "You shall see," she added witha wild laugh--"you shall see how I love him! What must I do?"

  "Obey me in everything."

  "And what do you promise in return? What shall he suffer?"

  "Unrequited love."

  "Yes, yes, that he shall!"

  "His kingdom and his race shall be ruined," continued Cethegus.

  "And he will know that it is through _me_!"

  "I will take care that he shall know that. When shall we start forRavenna?"

  "To-morrow! No; to-day, this instant." She stopped and grasped hishand. "Cethegus, tell me, am I beautiful?"

  "Yes, most beautiful!"

  "Ah!" she cried, tossing back her flowing hair, "Athalaric shall loveme and perish! Away to Ravenna! I will and must see him!"

  And she rushed out of the room.

  Her whole soul was thirsting to be with the object of her love andhate.