"Valerius!" he cried, "father! do not, do not leave me so. Speak to me once more!"
The dying man faintly opened his eyes.
"Where are they?" he asked.
"Beaten and fled!"
"Ah! victory!" cried Valerius, breathing anew. "I die happy! And Valeria--my child--is she saved?"
"She is. Escaped from the naval combat, and from the sea itself, I hastened to warn Neapolis and save you. I had landed near the high-road between your house and Neapolis; there I met Valeria and learned your danger. One of my boats received her and her companions on board to take them to Neapolis; with the other I came here to save you--oh! only to revenge you!" and he laid his head upon the breast of the dying man.
"Do not weep for me; I die victorious! And to you, my son, I owe it."
He stroked the long fair locks of the sorrowing youth.
"And Valeria's safety too! Oh! to you also, I hope, I shall owe the salvation of Italy. You are hero enough to save this country--in spite of Belisarius and Narses! You can--and you will--and your reward is the hand of my beloved child."
"Valerius! my father!"