At this moment he was exceedingly contented with himself.
But first he wished to make sure of Belisarius.
"Reasonably, you can only do one of two things," he said hesitatingly.
"Speak: I see neither the one nor the other."
"Either really accept----"
"Prefect!" cried Belisarius in a rage, and put his hand on his sword. Procopius caught his arm in alarm. "Not another such word, Cethegus, if you value your life!"
"Or," continued Cethegus quietly, "seem to accept. Enter Ravenna without a stroke of the sword, and send the Gothic crown, together with the Gothic King, to Byzantium."
"That is splendid!" cried Procopius.
"It is treason!" cried Belisarius.
"It is both," said Cethegus calmly.