"Raw boys always imagine it to be a sacrifice, when they are in love."
At this Camilla's eyes flashed; she tossed her head, and turned quickly upon Cethegus.
"Athalaric is no boy, and no one shall laugh at him!"
Cethegus was silent, and quietly dropped his eyelids; but Rusticiana asked in surprise:
"Do you hate the King no more?"
"To the death! He shall be undone, but not mocked!"
"What has happened?" repeated Cethegus.
"To-day I again noticed that puzzling, proud, and cold expression upon his face more distinctly than ever. A little incident occurred which caused the King to speak more plainly. An insect--a beetle--had fallen into the water. The King stooped and took it out, but the little creature turned against the beneficent hand, and bit the fingers that held it. 'The ungrateful thing!' I exclaimed. 'Oh,' said Athalaric, with a bitter smile, 'we wound most those to whom we are most indebted!' and he glanced at me with a sad and proud expression. But, as if he had said too much, he briefly bid me farewell, and went away; but I----" and her bosom heaved, her finely-cut lips were compressed--"I can bear it no longer! The haughty one! He shall love me--or die!"
"That shall he," said Cethegus inaudibly; "one or the other."