"What sacrifice? I consent to any."
"The greatest sacrifice--your crown. Give it to a man who is capable of uniting the Goths and Italians against Byzantium, and save both nations."
Amalaswintha looked at him searchingly. A terrible struggle took place in her soul.
"My crown? It is very dear to me," she said.
"I always held Amalaswintha capable of any sacrifice."
"Dare I place confidence in your advice?"
"If it were sweet, you might doubt it; if I flattered your pride you might mistrust me. But I offer you the bitter cup of renunciation. I appeal to your generosity and courage. Make me not ashamed."
"Your last advice was a crime," cried Amalaswintha, shuddering.
"I preserved your throne by every possible means as long as it could be upheld, as long as it was necessary for Italy; and I now demand that you should love your people more than your sceptre."
"By God! there you do not err. For my people I have not hesitated to sacrifice the lives of others"--she gladly dwelt on this thought, which appeased her conscience--"and I shall not refuse now to sacrifice my personal ambition. But who will be my successor?"