A Struggle For Rome Volume I Part 63

He paused in extreme agitation, as if expecting a prompt reply.

Valerius was silent, he sought for an excuse--it was but a moment, but the bare appearance of hesitation on the father's part revolted the Corsican. The blood rushed to his handsome face, which, just before almost soft and mild, suddenly a.s.sumed an aspect of ferocity; a vivid red flush spread over his brown cheeks.

"Furius Ahalla," he said hastily, "is not accustomed to offer a thing twice. Usually my wares, at the first offer, are s.n.a.t.c.hed at with both hands. I now offer myself--by G.o.d! 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 of his daughter. My _will_ would give her to you and to no other, but her heart----"

"She loves another!" cried the Corsican, "whom?"

And his hand caught at his dagger, as if he would gladly have killed his rival on the instant.

There was something of the tiger in this movement, and in the glare of his rolling eyes.

Valerius felt how deadly would be his hatred, and would not mention the name.

"Who can it be?" asked Furius, in an under tone. "A Roman? Monta.n.u.s?

No! Oh, only--only not _he_--say no, old man! not he----" and he caught Valerius by the sleeve.

"Who? Whom do you mean?"

"He, who landed with me--the Goth! But yes it must be he--every one loves 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 iron frame of the strong Corsican. He stretched forth his hand stiffly, as if he would strangle the pain which tortured him. Then he tossed back his head, and, laughing wildly, struck his forehead repeatedly.

Valerius observed this mad fit with horror. At last the arms of the enraged man slowly dropped, and revealed an ashy-pale face.

"It is over," said Furius in a trembling voice. "It is a curse that lies upon me. I am never to be happy in a wife. Once before--just before accomplishment! And now! I know that Valeria's influence and quiet composure would have brought peace into my wild life--I should have become different, better. And if this could not have been"--his eyes again sparkled--"it would have been almost equally sweet to murder the 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, the only being to whom Ahalla owes grat.i.tude--and what grat.i.tude!----"

He was silent, nodding his head as if lost in recollection.

"Valerius," he then said, suddenly rousing himself, "I would yield to no man on earth--I could not have borne to give place to another--but Totila! I will forgive her for not loving me, because she has chosen Totila. Farewell, Valerius, old friend. I go to sea; to Persia, to India--I know not whither--ah! everywhere I shall carry with me the bitter pain of this hour!"

He went quickly out, and immediately afterwards his arrow-swift boat bore 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. He had only come to try to persuade them to return to Neapolis. For Belisarius 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 had sent no s.h.i.+ps. He himself was shortly going to Sicily to convince himself of the truth.

His friends, therefore, were here totally unprotected, and he begged Valerius to return forthwith to Neapolis by land.

But it revolted the old soldier to fly before the Greeks; he could not and would not leave his affairs before three days; and Totila could scarcely persuade him to accept a small troop of twenty Goths as a poor protection.

With a heavy heart Totila entered his boat and was taken back to his guards.h.i.+p. It was almost dark when he arrived on board; a veil of mist shrouded the nearest objects.

All at once the sound of oars was heard to the west, and a s.h.i.+p, recognisable by the red light on the tall mast, turned the point of a small promontory.

Totila listened, and asked his look-out:

"A sail to the left! what s.h.i.+p? what master?"

"It is already signalled from the mast-head," was the reply, "merchant-s.h.i.+p--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 of that time.]

[Footnote 5: An epocha of the Roman calendar inst.i.tuted by Constantine the Great.]

END OF VOL. I.