Early the next day Procopius brought about an interview with Belisarius, from which his friend returned well contented.
"Have you told him everything?" asked the historian.
"Not quite everything," said Cethegus with a sly smile; "one must always keep something to say in reserve."
CHAPTER XI.
Shortly afterwards the whole camp was full of strange excitement.
The report of the approach of the Holy Father, which outsped his gilded litter, aroused thousands of soldiers, attracted by feelings of reverence, piety, superstition, or curiosity, from sleep, feasting, or gaming. The captains could scarcely keep the sentries at their posts or the soldiers at their drill.
The faithful had hurried to meet the Pope from places miles distant, and now, mixed with groups of country people from the neighbourhood, accompanied the procession into the camp. The peasants and soldiers had already harnessed themselves to the litter instead of the mules which drew it--in vain had the Pope modestly remonstrated--and shouting in exultation: "Hail to the Bishop of Rome, hail to the holy Petros!" the crowd, upon whom Silverius continually bestowed blessings, entered the camp. No one noticed his two colleagues, Scævola and Albinus.
Belisarius gravely observed the imposing spectacle from his tent.
"The Prefect is right!" he cried; "this priest is more dangerous than the Goths! Procopius, dismiss the Byzantine body-guard at my tent, as soon as the interview begins. Let the Huns and the heathen Gepidæ take their place."
So saying, he re-entered his tent, where, surrounded by his generals, he shortly afterwards received the Roman embassy.