CHAPTER XV.

  No sooner were they gone, than Justinian went up to his wife, andpressed a kiss upon her white forehead.

  "Forgive him," he said, "he means well."

  "I know it," she answered, returning the kiss. "It is for this reason,and because he is indispensable as a foil to Belisarius, that he stilllives."

  "You are right, as always," cried Justinian, putting his arm round her,and thus walking with her up and down the room.

  "What does he intend to do?" thought Theodora; "this tendernessindicates a bad conscience."

  "You are right," he repeated, "God has denied me the spirit whichdecides the fate of battles, and, in compensation, has given me thesetwo men of victory---_fortunately_ two of them. Their jealousy of eachother secures my dominion better than their fidelity. Either of thesegenerals alone would be a continual danger to the state, and on the daythat they become friends, my throne will shake. You continue to excitetheir mutual dislike?"

  "It is easy to excite. There is as natural an antipathy between them asbetween fire and water. And every spiteful remark of the eunuch I tellwith indignation to my friend Antonina, the wife and mistress of thehero Belisarius."

  "And I repeat every rudeness of this hero to the irritable cripple. Butto our consultation. Since receiving the report of Alexandros, I amalmost decided upon the expedition to Italy."

  "Whom will you send?"

  "Belisarius, of course. He promises to accomplish with thirty thousand,that which Narses will scarcely undertake with eighty thousand."

  "Do you think that so small a force will be sufficient?"

  "No. But the honour of Belisarius is engaged. He will exert his utmoststrength, and yet will not quite succeed."

  "That will be wholesome for him. For, since the war with the Vandals,his pride has become insupportable."

  "But," continued the Emperor, "he will accomplish three-fourths of thework. Then I will recall him, march myself with sixty thousand, takingNarses with me, and easily finish the remaining fourth of the task.Then I, too, shall be called a great general and a conqueror."

  "Finely thought out!" cried Theodora, with sincere admiration of hissubtlety: "your plan is ripe."

  "However," said Justinian, sighing and stopping in his walk, "Narses isright; I must confess it. It would be better for my empire if Idefended it from the Persians, instead of attacking the Goths. It wouldbe wiser and safer policy. For, at some time or other, destruction willcome from the East."

  "Let it come! It may not be for centuries, when the only thingremembered of Justinianus will be the fame of having reconquered Italyas well as Africa. Is it your office to take thought for the future?Those who come after you may care for their present; let yours be youronly care."

  "But if it should then be said: had Justinian defended his kingdominstead of making conquests, it would now be better? If they say:Justinian's victories have destroyed the empire?"

  "No one will speak thus. Mankind is dazzled by the glory of Fame. Andyet another thing--" and now the earnestness of deep conviction chasedthe expression of cunning persuasiveness from the seductive features ofthe Empress.

  "I suspect what you are about to say; but continue."

  "You are not only an Emperor, you are a man. Your salvation must bedearer to you than even your kingdom. Many a bloody step was taken uponthe path, upon _our_ path--which led to the height to which we haveattained, to the glory of our empire. Many harsh deeds were necessary;life and treasures, and many a dangerous foe were--enough! It is truethat, with part of these treasures, we are building a temple to theglory of Christ, which alone will make our name immortal upon earth.But for Heaven--who knows if that be sufficient! Let us"--and her eyesglowed with fanatic fire--"let us destroy the unbelievers, and seek thepath to grace and pardon over the bodies of the enemies of Christ!"

  Justinian pressed her hand.

  "The Persians, too, are the enemies of Christ; they are even heathens."

  "Have you forgotten the teaching of the Prophet: 'heretics are seventimes worse than heathens?' The true faith has been revealed to themand they have despised it. That is the sin against the Holy Ghost,which will never be forgiven on earth or in heaven. But you are thesword which shall destroy these God-forsaken Arians! They are the mosthated enemies of Christ; they know Him, and still deny that He is God.Already you have overthrown the heretic Vandals in Africa, andsmothered error in blood and fire. Now Italy calls upon you; Rome, theplace where the blood of the prince of Apostles was shed, the holycity, must no longer be subject to the heretics. Justinian, recall herto the true faith!"

  She ceased.

  The Emperor looked up at the golden cross and sighed deeply.

  "You unveil the inmost depths of my heart. It is this feeling which,mightier still than love of fame and victory, urges me to this war. Butam I capable, am I worthy of achieving such a holy work to the honourof God? Will He consummate such a great deed by my sinful hand? Idoubt; I waver. Was the dream which came to me last night sent fromHeaven? What was its meaning? did it incite to the attempt or warn meoff? Well, your mother, Komito, the prophetess of Cyprus, had greatwisdom in interpreting dreams and warnings----"

  "And you know that the gift is inherited. Did I not foretell the resultof the war with the Vandals from your dreams?"

  "Then you shall also explain this last dream to me. You know that Iwaver in my best plans, if an omen speaks against them. Listen then.But"--and he cast an uneasy glance at his wife--"but remember that itwas but a _dream_, and no man can answer for his dreams."

  "Certainly; God sends them.--What shall I hear?" she added to herself.

  "Last night I fell asleep while meditating over the last reports aboutAmala--about Italy. I dreamed that I was wandering in a landscape withseven hills. Under a laurel-tree there reposed the most beautiful womanI had ever seen. I stood before her and looked at her with delight.Suddenly there rushed out of a thicket at my right hand a growlingbear, and, from the rocks to the left, a hissing snake, and darted atthe sleeping woman. She woke and called my name. I quickly caught herup, and, pressing her to my bosom, fled. Looking back, I saw that thebear crushed the snake, while the snake stung the bear to death."

  "Well, and the woman?"

  "The woman pressed a hasty kiss upon my forehead and suddenly vanished.I awoke and stretched out my arms for her in vain. The woman," hecontinued quickly, before Theodora had time to reflect, "is, of course,Italy."

  "Certainly," said the Empress quietly, but her bosom heaved. "Yourdream is most happy. The bear and the snake are barbarians andItalians, who strive for the city upon the seven hills. You tear itfrom their grasp, and let them mutually destroy each other."

  "But she vanishes--she does not remain."

  "She remains. She kisses you and disappears in your arms. So will Italybe swallowed up in your empire."

  "You are right!" said Justinian, springing up. "Thanks, my wise wife.You are the light of my soul! I will venture. Belisarius shall march."He was about to call the attendant, but suddenly stopped short. "Onething more," and casting down his eyes he took Theodora's hand.

  "Ah!" thought Theodora, "now it is coming."

  "When we have destroyed the kingdom of the Goths, and have with theQueen's help taken Ravenna--what--what shall be done with her, thePrincess?"

  "What shall be done with her?" repeated Theodora with well-feignedcomposure. "That which was done with the King of the Vandals. She shallcome here, to Byzantium."

  Justinian breathed again.

  "It rejoices me that you have at once interpreted my thought," and hekissed her slender white hand with real pleasure.

  "More than that," said Theodora. "She will enter into our plans all themore willingly if she can look forward to an honourable reception here.So I will myself write her a sisterly epistle inviting her to come. Incase of need she shall ever find an asylum in my heart."

  "You do not know," interrupted Justinian eagerly, "how much you willassist our victor
y by so doing. The daughter of Theodoric must becompletely weaned from her people. She shall herself lead us toRavenna."

  "But if so, you cannot immediately send Belisarius with an army. Itwould only awaken her suspicions and make her rebellious. She mustfirst be completely in our power and the barbarians must have begun aninternecine war, before the sword of Belisarius flies from its sheath."

  "But at least he must henceforth be in the vicinity."

  "Certainly, perhaps in Sicily. The disturbances in Africa afford thebest excuse for sending a fleet into those waters. And as soon as thenet is sunk Belisarius must draw it together."

  "But who shall sink it?"

  Theodora reflected for a few moments; then she said:

  "The most gifted man in the West; Cethegus Caesarius, the Prefect ofRome, the friend of my youth."

  "Quite right. But not he alone. He is a Roman, no subject of mine; andI am not sure of him. Whom shall I send? Once again Alexandros?"

  "No," said Theodora, "he is too young for such a task. No." And shebecame thoughtfully silent. "Justinian," she said at last, "you shallsee that I can sacrifice my personal dislikes for the sake of theempire, when it is necessary to choose the right man. I propose myenemy, Petros, the cousin of Narses, the fellow-student of the Prefect,the sly rhetorician--send him!"

  "Theodora!" cried the Emperor, embracing her; "God himself has givenyou to me! Cethegus--Petros--Belisarius. Barbarians! you are lost!"