"It was only some one demanding admittance," said the ostiarius, as he returned and unlocked the door of the room intended for the fugitive Princess.
The close air of a chamber which had not been opened for a long time half suffocated her; but she recognised with emotion the tortoise-shell lining of the walls; it was the same room which she had occupied twenty years ago.
Overpowered by the recollection, she sank upon the small couch, which was covered with dark-coloured cushions.
Dismissing the two men, she drew close the curtains of the couch, and soon sank into an uneasy slumber.
CHAPTER VI.
Thus she lay, she knew not how long, half awake, half dreaming; picture after picture arose in her excited mind.
Eutharic with the expression of constant pain upon his lips--Athalaric as he lay stretched upon his bier, he seemed to sign to her--the reproachful face of Mataswintha--then mist and clouds and leafless trees--then three angry warriors with pale faces and bloody garments--and the blind ferryman in the realm of shades.
At another time it seemed to her as if she lay on the steps of the monument in the desolate waste, and again something rustled behind her, and a shrouded figure bent over her, nearer and nearer, oppressing and suffocating her.
Her heart was contracted by fear; she started up terrified, and looked about her. There!--it was no dream-fancy--something really rustled behind the curtains, and a shrouded shadow glided along the wainscoted walls.
With a scream Amalaswintha opened the curtain wide--there was nothing to be seen.