"Only till the deputies assembled here have again reached their towns. Only till my expresses have flown through Italy. You have had to wait forty years!"
But the impatience of the youths, which he himself had excited, was not to be subdued; they looked gloomy at the postponement--they murmured.
The priest was quick to take advantage of this change of humour.
"No, Cethegus," he cried; "we cannot delay so long! Tyranny is unbearable to the noble-minded; shame upon him who endures it longer than he must! I know of better comfort, youths! In a few days the spears of Belisarius may flash in Italian sunshine."
"Or shall we, perhaps," asked Scævola, "refuse to follow Belisarius because he is not Cethegus?"
"You speak of wishes," cried Cethegus, "not of realities. If Belisarius land, I shall be the first to join him. But he will not land. It is this which has disgusted me; the Emperor does not keep his word."
Cethegus played a very bold game. But he could not do otherwise.
"You may err," said Silverius, "and the Emperor may fulfil his promise sooner than you think. Belisarius lies off Sicily."
"Not now. He has gone towards Africa, towards home. Hope nothing from Belisarius."
Just then hasty steps were heard in the passage, and Albinus rushed in.