CHAPTER IX.
The landing of the Byzantines had taken both Goths and Italians bysurprise; for the last move of Belisarius to the east had misled bothparties.
Of all our Gothic friends, Totila alone was in South Italy. He had, inhis office as commodore and Count of the Harbour of Neapolis, in vainwarned the Government of Ravenna of the impending danger, and beggedfor the power and means of defending Sicily.
We shall see how he had been deprived of all possibility of preventingthe catastrophe which threatened to overwhelm his nation, and which wasto throw the first shadow upon the brilliant path of his own life, andtear the web of good fortune which a happy fate had, until now, wovenabout this favourite of the gods.
Valerius, who, though stern, had a noble and kindly nature, had soonbeen won by Totila's irresistible amiability. We have seen how stronglythe prayers of his daughter, the memory of his wife's last words, andTotila's frankness, had influenced the worthy man, even when he wasirritated at the discovery of the lovers' secret meetings.
Totila remained at the villa as a guest. Julius, with his winningaffection, was called upon to help the lovers, and to their unitedinfluence the father gradually yielded.
But this was only possible because Totila assimilated to the Romansmore nearly in manners, education, and inclinations than any otherGoth: so that Valerius soon saw that he could not call a youth a"barbarian" who knew and appreciated the language, wisdom, and beautyof Hellenic and Roman literature better than most Italians, andadmired the culture of the ancient world no less than he loved hisfellow-countrymen.
And, in addition to all this, a common hatred of Byzantium united theold Roman and the young German.
The Valerians had always belonged to the aristocratic Republicanopposition against the Caesars, and, since the time of Tiberius, many amember of this family had sealed with his blood his fidelity to thecause of Old Republicanism.
The family had never really acknowledged the removal of the Empire ofthe World from the city on the Tiber to that on the Bosphorus. In theByzantine imperial dignity Valerius beheld the acme of all tyranny,and, at any cost, would gladly have saved his Latium from the avarice,religious intolerance, and Oriental despotism of the ByzantineEmperors.
Added to this, the father and brother of Valerius had been arrested atByzantium by an avaricious predecessor of Justinian, while passingthrough that city, and, on pretence of participation in a conspiracy,had been executed, and all their eastern possessions had beenconfiscated; so that private loss considerably strengthened thepolitical hatred of the patriot. When Cethegus introduced him to theconspiracy of the Catacombs, he had eagerly taken up the idea of anItalian rebellion; but had repulsed all advances of the imperial partywith the words, "Rather death than Byzantium!"
So the two, Valerius and Totila, were unanimous in the resolution totolerate no Byzantine in their beloved country, which was scarcely lessdear to the Goth than to the Roman.
The lovers took care not to press the old man, at present, to make anyformal promise; they contented themselves with the freedom ofintercourse allowed by Valerius, and waited quietly until the influenceof habit should gradually accustom him to the thought of their ultimateunion.
Our young friends thus passed many happy days, and, added to the blissof their mutual love, they had the delight of witnessing the growingaffection of Valerius for Totila.
Julius was filled with the noble exaltation which lies in the sacrificeof one's own passion for the sake of another's happiness. His soul,unsatisfied by the wisdom of old philosophy, turned more and moreto the doctrine which teaches that peace is only to be found inself-denial.
Valeria was of a very different nature. She was the true expression ofthe Roman ideal of her father, who had conducted her education in placeof her early-lost mother, and had imbued her with the spirit of theantique Pagans. Christianity--to which she hard been dedicated by anoutward form at the very commencement of her life, and from which shehad afterwards been wrested by an equally external formality--seemed toher a fearful power, by no means loved or understood, but which,nevertheless, she could not exclude from the circle of her thoughts andfeelings.
Like a true Roman, she noticed with joy and pride, not with dismay, themartial enthusiasm with which Totila spoke to her father in theirconversations concerning Byzantium. She felt that he was born to be ahero, and so, when duty suddenly called him away from love andfriendship, she bore the parting with noble self-control.
For as soon as the Byzantine fleet was known to be cruising offSyracusae, the young Goth was inflamed with an insatiable thirst forwar. It was his duty, as commodore of the South Italian squadron, towatch the movements of the enemy and protect the coast. He promptly setsail to meet the Grecian fleet, and demanded the reason of itsappearance in those waters. Belisarius, who had orders to avoid allinimical proceedings until called upon to commence hostilities byPetros, gave a peaceful and plausible answer, alleging as his pretextthe disturbances in Africa and the piracies of Mauritanian ships.Totila was obliged to content himself with this reply, but in his hearthe was sure that the war would soon break out; perhaps only because heso ardently desired it.
He therefore took all precautions: sent messengers with warnings toRavenna, and, above all, essayed to protect the city of Neapolis atleast towards the sea, for the inland fortifications had fallen intodecay during the long peace, and old Uliaris, the commander of thecity, was not to be shaken out of his proud security and contempt ofthe Greeks.
The Goths in general cherished the dangerous delusion that theByzantines would never dare to attack them; and their treacherous Kingdid all in his power to strengthen this belief.
The warnings of Totila, therefore, were disregarded, and the zealouscommodore was even deprived of his whole fleet, which was ordered tothe Harbour of Ravenna, on the pretext of an exchange; but the shipswhich should have replaced those which had sailed away never arrived.
So Totila had nothing left but a few small guardships, with which, ashe declared to his friends, he could not even sufficiently watch themovements of the enemy, much less prevent their advance.
When apprised of all this, the merchant determined to leave hisvilla at Neapolis, and to go to his rich estates and mercantileestablishments at Regium, on the south point of the peninsula, in orderto remove all his most valuable property from that neighbourhood--whereTotila feared the first attack of the enemy--and bring it to Neapolis;and also to make his preparations in case of a prolonged war.
Julius was to accompany him on this journey; and Valeria was not to bepersuaded to remain behind in the empty villa; so, as Totila assuredthem that no danger was to be feared for the next few days, the three,accompanied by a few slaves, journeyed to the villa on the estate nearthe Pass of Jugum, to the north of Regium, which, situated close to thesea, was partly, with all the luxury already so severely blamed byHorace, "daringly built out" into the very sea itself.
Valerius found things in a bad condition. His stewards, takingadvantage of the prolonged absence of their master, had made sad work,and Valerius saw with indignation that, in order to repair themischief, his presence would be necessary, not for days, but for weeks.
Meanwhile the threatening symptoms increased. Totila sent many warningmessages; but Valeria decided that she could not leave her father whilein danger, and the latter scorned to fly before the "degenerateGreeks," whom he still more despised than hated.
One day they were surprised by the arrival of two boats, which ran intothe little harbour of the villa at Regium almost at the same moment.One brought Totila; the other the Corsican, Furius Ahalla.
The two greeted each other with surprise, but, as old acquaintances,were well pleased to meet, and walked together through the taxus-hedgesand laurel walks to the villa. There they parted, Totila saying that hewished to pay a visit to his friend Julius, while the Corsican hadbusiness with the merchant, with whom he had for years been connectedin a commerce which was equally advantageous to both p
arties.
Valerius was therefore much pleased to see the clever, bold, andhandsome sailor enter his room, and after a hearty welcome, the twobusiness-friends turned to their books and accounts.
After some short discussion, the Corsican rose from his examination ofthe books, and said:
"So you see, Valerius, that Mercurius has again blessed our connection.My ships have brought you purple and costly woollen stuffs fromPh[oe]nicia and Spain; and taken your exquisite manufactures of lastyear to Byzantium and Alexandria, to Massilia and Antiochia. Acentenarius of gold more profit than last year! And so it will go onrising from year to year, so long as the brave Goths uphold peace andjustice in the West."
He ceased, as if in expectation.
"So long as they _can_ uphold it!" sighed Valerius. "So long as theseGreeks keep the peace! Who can guarantee that to-night the sea-breezemay not drive the ships of Belisarius towards these coasts!"
"So you, too, expect war? In confidence: it is more than probable, itis certain."
"Furius!" cried the Roman, "how do you know that?"
"I come from Africa--from Sicily. I have seen the fleet of the Emperor.One does not arm against pirates in such a manner. I have spoken to thecaptains of Belisarius; they dream night and day of the treasures ofItaly. Sicily is ripe for defection, as soon as the Greeks land."
Valerius grew pale with excitement.
Furius remarked it, and continued.
"For this reason I have come here to warn you. The enemy will land inthis vicinity, and I know--that your daughter is with you."
"Valeria is a Roman."
"Yes, but these enemies are the most ferocious barbarians. For it isHuns, Massagetae, Scythians, Avari, Sclavonians, and Saracens which thisEmperor of the Romans lets loose upon Italy! Woe to your lovely childshould she fall into their hands."
"That she shall not!" cried Valerius, his hand upon his dagger. "Butyou are right--she must go--she must be placed in safety."
"Where is safety in Italy? Soon the billows of the conflict will rollover Neapolis--over Rome--and will scarcely break against the walls ofRavenna!"
"Do you think so highly of these Greeks? Yet Greece has never sentanything to Italy but mimes, pirates, and pickpockets!"
"But Belisarius is the favourite of fortune. At all events, a war willbe kindled, the end of which many of you will not outlive!"
"Of _us_, you say? Will not _you_ fight with us?"
"No, Valerius! You know that pure Corsican blood flows in my veins, inspite of my adopted Roman name. I am no Roman, no Greek, and no Goth. Iwish the Goths the victory, because they keep order on land and sea,and my trade flourishes under their sway; but were I to fight openly ontheir side, the exchequer of Byzantium would swallow up all that Ipossess in ships and goods in the harbours of the East: three-fourthsof my whole fortune. No, I intend so to fortify my island--you knowthat half Corsica is mine--that neither of the disputants can molestme. My island shall be an asylum of peace, while round about land andwater echo with the noise of battle. I shall defend this asylum as aking defends his crown, or a bridegroom his bride; and therefore"--hiseyes sparkled, and his voice trembled with excitement--"therefore Iwish--now--to speak a word which for years I have carried hidden in myheart----"
He hesitated.
Valerius saw beforehand what was coming, and saw it with deep regret.For years he had pleased himself with the thought of entrusting hisdaughter's happiness to this powerful merchant, the adopted son of anold friend, of whose affection to Valeria he had long been aware.Although he had learned to love Totila, he would far rather have hadhis old friend for a son-in-law.
And he knew the ungovernable pride and irritable temper of theCorsican; he feared, in case of refusal, that the old love andfriendship would be speedily changed to burning hate. Dark stories weretold of the wild rage of this man, and Valerius would gladly havespared both him and himself the pain of a rejection.
But the other continued:
"I think we are both men who do business in a business-like manner.And, according to old custom, I speak at once to the father, and notfirst to the daughter. Give me your child to wife, Valerius! In partyou know my fortune--only in part--for it is far larger than you think.I will match her dowry, be it never so splendid, with the double----"
"Furius!" interrupted the father.
"I think I am a man who can make his wife happy. At least, I canprotect her better than any one else in these dangerous times. I willtake her in my ships, should Corsica be threatened, to Asia or toAfrica. On every coast there awaits her, not a house, but a palace. Noqueen could envy her. I will cherish, her more dearly--more dearly thanmy life!"
He paused in extreme agitation, as if expecting a prompt reply.
Valerius was silent, he sought for an excuse--it was but a moment, butthe bare appearance of hesitation on the father's part revolted theCorsican. The blood rushed to his handsome face, which, just beforealmost soft and mild, suddenly assumed an aspect of ferocity; a vividred flush spread over his brown cheeks.
"Furius Ahalla," he said hastily, "is not accustomed to offer a thingtwice. Usually my wares, at the first offer, are snatched at with bothhands. I now offer myself--by God! I am not worse than my purple----
"My friend," began the old man, "we no longer live in ancient times.The new belief has almost deprived a father of the right to dispose ofhis daughter. My _will_ would give her to you and to no other, but herheart----"
"She loves another!" cried the Corsican, "whom?"
And his hand caught at his dagger, as if he would gladly have killedhis rival on the instant.
There was something of the tiger in this movement, and in the glare ofhis rolling eyes.
Valerius felt how deadly would be his hatred, and would not mention thename.
"Who can it be?" asked Furius, in an under tone. "A Roman? Montanus?No! Oh, only--only not _he_--say no, old man! not he----" and he caughtValerius by the sleeve.
"Who? Whom do you mean?"
"He, who landed with me--the Goth! But yes it must be he--every oneloves him--Totila!"
"It is he," said Valerius, and kindly tried to take his friend's hand.But he released it again in terror; a fearful convulsion shook the ironframe of the strong Corsican. He stretched forth his hand stiffly, asif he would strangle the pain which tortured him. Then he tossed backhis head, and, laughing wildly, struck his forehead repeatedly.
Valerius observed this mad fit with horror. At last the arms of theenraged man slowly dropped, and revealed an ashy-pale face.
"It is over," said Furius in a trembling voice. "It is a curse thatlies upon me. I am never to be happy in a wife. Once before--justbefore accomplishment! And now! I know that Valeria's influence andquiet composure would have brought peace into my wild life--I shouldhave become different, better. And if this could not have been"--hiseyes again sparkled--"it would have been almost equally sweet to murderthe destroyer of my happiness. Yes, I would have wallowed in his blood,and torn his bride away from his corpse! And now it is _he_! He, theonly being to whom Ahalla owes gratitude--and what gratitude!----"
He was silent, nodding his head as if lost in recollection.
"Valerius," he then said, suddenly rousing himself, "I would yield tono man on earth--I could not have borne to give place to another--butTotila! I will forgive her for not loving me, because she has chosenTotila. Farewell, Valerius, old friend. I go to sea; to Persia, toIndia--I know not whither--ah! everywhere I shall carry with me thebitter pain of this hour!"
He went quickly out, and immediately afterwards his arrow-swift boatbore him away from the little harbour of the villa.
Valerius left the room sighing, and went in search of his daughter.
In the atrium he met Totila, who was obliged to take leave at once. Hehad only come to try to persuade them to return to Neapolis. ForBelisarius had left the African coast and was cruising near Panormus,and any day a descent might be effected in Sicily or even Italy; and,in spite of Totila's insistence, the King ha
d sent no ships. Hehimself was shortly going to Sicily to convince himself of the truth.His friends, therefore, were here totally unprotected, and he beggedValerius to return forthwith to Neapolis by land.
But it revolted the old soldier to fly before the Greeks; he could notand would not leave his affairs before three days; and Totila couldscarcely persuade him to accept a small troop of twenty Goths as a poorprotection.
With a heavy heart Totila entered his boat and was taken back to hisguardship. It was almost dark when he arrived on board; a veil of mistshrouded the nearest objects.
All at once the sound of oars was heard to the west, and a ship,recognisable by the red light on the tall mast, turned the point of asmall promontory.
Totila listened, and asked his look-out:
"A sail to the left! what ship? what master?"
"It is already signalled from the mast-head," was the reply,"merchant-ship--Furius Ahalla--lay at anchor here."
"Where bound?"
"For the East--for India!"
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1: A place for wrestling and other exercises.]
[Footnote 2: The most valued wood--not the modern citron-tree.]
[Footnote 3: Pine-wood.]
[Footnote 4: A Grecian rider's upper garment, worn by the Romans ofthat time.]
[Footnote 5: An epocha of the Roman calendar instituted by Constantinethe Great.]
END OF VOL. I.
BILLING AND SONS, PRINTERS, GUILDFORD, SURREY. _H. L. & Co._
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