"Who still doubts is a traitor!" cried Scævola.
"Now let us see," said Silverius to Cethegus sarcastically, "if you will keep your word. Will you be the first to join Belisarius?"
At this bitter moment a whole world--his world--sank before the eyes of Cethegus. So, then, all had been in vain; worse than that--what he had done, had been done for a hated enemy. Belisarius in Italy with a strong army, and he deceived, powerless, conquered! Any other man would have given up all further effort.
But not a shadow of discouragement crossed the mind of the Prefect. His gigantic edifice was shattered; the noise of its fall still deafened him, and yet at the same moment he had already resolved to begin again.
His world was destroyed, and he had no time even to sigh, for the eyes of all were fixed upon him.
"Well, what will you do?" repeated Scævola.
Cethegus disdained to look at him.
He turned to the assembly, and spoke in a quiet voice:
"Belisarius has landed," he said; "he is now our leader. I shall at once go to his camp."
With this he walked, with measured steps and a composed countenance, past Silverius and his friends towards the exit.