And he pressed the vase into Teja's hand, and disappeared amid the crowd.
Teja broke the seal indifferently, and took the documents out. Indifferently he looked at them.
But suddenly a vivid flush overspread his pale cheeks, his eyes flashed, and he convulsively bit his lip. The vase fell to the ground as he rushed up to Witichis, and said, in an almost toneless voice:
"My King! King Witichis, a favour!"
"What is it, Teja? For God's sake, what wilt thou?"
"Leave of absence! for six--three days! I must go!"
"Go? Where?"
"To revenge myself! Read--the devil who accused my parents, who drove them to desperation, madness, and death--it is he--whom I long since suspected. Here is his accusation, addressed to the Bishop of Florentia, in his own handwriting--it is Theodahad!"
"It is, it is Theodahad," said Witichis, looking up from the letter. "Go, then! But, doubt it not, thou wilt not find him in Rome. He has certainly fled long since. He has had a great start. Thou canst not overtake him!"
"I will overtake him, even if he rides on the wings of the storm-eagle!"