"Goths, wait yet a short time without! We will try; in your name, to adjust things with the Queen. If we do not succeed, we will call upon you to act--you know in what manner."
With a shout of applause, the crowd behind him willingly withdrew, and were soon lost in the outer passages and halls of the palace.
"Daughter of Theodoric," began Duke Thulun, "we are come because thy son, the King, recalled us. Unfortunately we find he is no more alive. We know that thou hast no delight in seeing us here."
"If you know it," said Amalaswintha with dignity, "how dare you, notwithstanding, appear before our eyes? Who allows you to intrude upon us against our will?"
"Necessity enjoins it, Highness--necessity, which has often forced stronger bolts than the whims of a woman. We have to announce to thee the demands of thy people, which thou wilt fulfil."
"What language! Knowest thou before whom thou standest, Duke Thulun?"
"Before the daughter of the Amelungs; whose child I honour, even when she errs and transgresses!"
"Rebel!" cried Amalaswintha, and rose indignantly from her throne. "Thy King stands before thee!"
But Thulun smiled.
"It would be wiser, Amalaswintha, to be silent upon this point. King Theodoric charged thee with the guardianship of thy son--thee, a woman! It was against the law; but we Goths did not interfere between him and his kindred. He wished this boy to be his successor. That was not prudent; but the nobles and people have honoured the race of the Amelungs and the wish of a King, who else was ever wise. But he never wished, and we should never have allowed, that after the death of that boy a woman should reign over us--the spindle over the spear."