"Fearful man! Shall I sacrifice all my hatred to you and your projects?"
"To me? who speaks of me? I plead your cause, I complete your revenge. The Goths have done nothing to me. You disturbed me from my books, you called upon me to aid you in destroying these Amelungs; do you repent? Very well. I will return to Horatius and the Stoics. Farewell!"
"Remain, remain! But must Camilla be sacrificed?"
"Folly! Athalaric will be the victim. She shall not love him, she shall only influence him--or," he added, looking sharply at her, "do you fear for her heart?"
"May your tongue be paralysed! My daughter love him! Rather would I strangle her with these hands!"
But Cethegus had become thoughtful. "It is not for the girl's sake," he thought, "that would not matter--but should she really love him?--the Goth is handsome, intellectual, enthusiastic--Where is your daughter?" he asked aloud.
"In the women's apartment. Even should I wish it, she will never consent--never!"
"We will attempt it. I will go to her."
And they went into the house.
Rusticiana would have entered the room with Cethegus, but he repulsed her.