"If he will only keep it!"
Witichis started back in indignation.
"Teja! thy gloomy mind renders thee too unjust! Thou hast no right to doubt a hero's honour. Cethegus is a hero!"
"He is a Roman! Good-night!" said Teja, sheathing his sword. And he turned another way with his Goths.
But Cethegus tossed all night upon his couch. He was at variance with himself.
He was vexed with Julius.
He was bitterly vexed with Witichis, more bitterly still with Teja.
But most with himself.
The next day Witichis once again assembled people. Senate, and the clergy of the city, at the Thermæ of Titus. From the highest step of the marble staircase of the handsome building, which was filled with the leaders of the army, the King made a simple speech to the Romans.
He declared that he must leave the city for a short time, but that he would soon return. He reminded them of the mildness of the Gothic government, of the benefits of Theodoric and Amalaswintha, and called upon them courageously to oppose Belisarius, in case of his advance, until the Goths returned to reinforce them. The newly-drilled legionaries and the strong fortifications made a long resistance possible.