And the little company galloped away as if Death himself were at their heels.
CHAPTER V.
Amalaswintha at first revelled in the feeling of gratitude, freedom, and safety. She made happy plans of reconciliation. She saw her people saved from Byzantium by her warning voice--saved from the treachery of their own King.
She already heard the enthusiastic shouts of the valiant army, announcing death to the enemy, and pardon to herself.
Lost in such dreams, the hours, days, and nights passed rapidly.
The party hurried on without pause. Three or four times a day the horses were changed, so that mile after mile was passed with the utmost velocity.
Dolios carefully watched over the Princess. He stood at the door of the carriage with drawn sword, while his companions fetched meat and drink from the stations which they passed.
The speed at which they went, and the faithful attention of Dolios, freed the Princess from an anxiety which she had not been able for some time to get rid of--it seemed to her that they were pursued.
Twice, at Perusia and Clusium, where the carriage stopped, she had thought she heard the rattle of wheels and the sound of horses' hoofs close behind.
And, at Clusium, she had even fancied, as she looked through the lattices, that she saw a second carruca, likewise accompanied by outriders, turn into the gate of that town.